Chapter 2
Utilitarianism
A good way to begin is by studying a deep and well-worked-out
ethical theory which has commanded wide assent, reached clear
conclusions when tackling the philosophical problems thrown up
by our political life and produced unambiguous policy directives to
settle practical questions. I select utilitarianism because I believe
it has these features (or, at least, makes these claims). This has
been recognized by many of the most impressive recent contribu-
tors to political philosophy. Few endorse utilitarianism – but most
of them see the need to define their position against the utilitarian
salient.^1 Utilitarianism should not be treated as a straw target; it
has two great virtues which we should not lose sight of. First, it is
based on a thought that ought to have universal appeal: when
judging conduct, we should pay close attention to the con-
sequences of human actions in respect of their contribution to the
welfare of all those whom the actions affect. Second, (and this was
a central preoccupation of the classical utilitarian thinkers,
Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill) that focus is particularly
apt for fixing the purposes of government. We would do well to