Utilitarianism

A Beginner's Guide to the Core Ideas and Modern Relevance of Utilitarianism, Including the Philosophies of Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill and the Principle of the Greatest GoodAlex Omberg

Length2h 19m

About this audiobook

This guide demystifies the profound yet often misunderstood philosophy of Utilitarianism. It traces the school of thought from its radical roots with reformers Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, who sought to create a "science of happiness." The book clearly explains the core tenet—the Greatest Happiness Principle—and explores its key variations, such as Bentham's quantitative "Felicific Calculus" versus Mill's distinction between higher and lower pleasures. It also confronts the theory's most challenging critiques through famous dilemmas like the Trolley Problem. By connecting foundational ideas to modern movements like Effective Altruism, this guide reveals Utilitarianism not as a historical relic, but as a living, breathing framework for improving the world.

Rebellion

Political Intrigue

Psychological

Audiobook details

Rating★★★★★ 5.0 (1)

GenreSelf-Help, Philosophy

Length2 hrs 19 mins

Narrated bySelect Your Own

FormateBook with Audio

Publish dateAug 20, 2025

LanguageEnglish

1Title Page

10Chapter 8: Mill on Liberty - Protecting Individual Freedom in a Utilitarian Society

2Preface

11Chapter 9: Utilitarian Economics - Cost-Benefit Analysis and Public Policy

3Chapter 1: The Radical Reformers - Bentham and Mill's Mission to Improve the World

12Chapter 10: Peter Singer and Effective Altruism - Maximizing Good in Practice

4Chapter 2: The Greatest Happiness Principle - Measuring Right and Wrong

13Chapter 11: The Trolley Problem and Moral Intuitions

5Chapter 3: Bentham's Felicific Calculus - The Mathematics of Pleasure

14Chapter 12: Utilitarianism and Personal Relationships

Show all chapters

6Chapter 4: Mill's Qualitative Revolution - Higher and Lower Pleasures

15Chapter 13: Measuring Well-Being - Happiness, Preference, and Human Flourishing

7Chapter 5: Act vs. Rule Utilitarianism - When to Follow Principles

16Chapter 14: Critics and Alternatives - Deontology, Virtue Ethics, and Beyond

8Chapter 6: The Problem of Justice - When Individual Rights Conflict with General Welfare

17Chapter 15: Living Utilitarian - Applying Consequentialist Thinking to Daily Life

9Chapter 7: Whose Happiness Counts? - The Circle of Moral Concern

18Conclusion: The Ongoing Utilitarian Project

About the author

Alex Omberg

I publish audiobooks dedicated to philosophy and the biographies of literary giants. Also known as "The Philosophy School," my work focuses on substance and clarity. I aim to provide professional, thorough overviews that explain ideas and lives simply, without talking down to the listener. Whether exploring Stoicism or the world of Virginia Woolf, you will find reliable narratives here. To stay updated on new releases, please subscribe to my mailing list using the link in the personal website section.View all by Alex Omberg