The Demands of Consequentialism
Summary
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The Demands of Consequentialism by Mulgan
According to consequentialism, we should always put our resources where they will do the most good. A small contribution to a reputable aid agency can save a child from a crippling illness. We should thus devote all our energies to charity work, as well as all our money, till we reach the point where our own basic needs, or ability to keep earning money, are in jeopardy. Such conclusions strike many people as absurd. Consequentialism seems unreasonably demanding, as it leaves the agent no room for her own projects or interests. Tim Mulgan examines consequentialist responses to this objection. A variety of previous consequentialist solutions are considered and found wanting, including rule consequentialism, the extremism of Shelly Kagan and Peter Singer, Michael Slote's satisficing consequentialism, and Samuel Scheffler's hybrid moral theory. The Demands of Consequentialism develops a new consequentialist theory, designed to be intuitively appealing, theoretically sound, and only moderately demanding. Moral choices are first divided into distinct realms, primarily on the basis of their impact on the well-being of others. Each realm has its own characteristic features, and different moral realms are governed by different moral principles. The resulting theory incorporates elements of act consequentialism, rule consequentialism, and Scheffler's hybid theory. This original and highly readable account of the limits of consequentialism will be useful to anyone interested in understanding morality.
Review from previous edition Tim Mulgan's fine book is a powerful and impressive attempt to find a version of consequentialism that deals adequately with the Demandingness ObjectionIt will surely become a standard work of reference on the subject, and deservedly so. I have learned a great deal from studying it. * Timothy Chappell, Mind *
Mulgan's discussion of these theories advances significantly beyond all previous discussions. . . . The resulting theory constitutes a major innovation in contemporary moral theory. Many will think Mulgan's theory the best account yet of duties towards the needy. In any case, it is a strikingly impressive achievement. . . . Until a clearly superior theory is developed, everyone interested in normative moral theory must read this book. * Brad Hooker, Philosophy *
The Demands of Consequentialism is a very interesting book, devoted to a no less fascinating problem. If you have ever found yourself wondering whether you should, for instance, spend money on the trip of your life, or instead send it to Oxfam, this book will be of real interest to you ... Mulgan's insightful book contains clear and fine-grained discussions of the various views he rejects. * European Journal of Philosophy *
Mulgan's discussion of these theories advances significantly beyond all previous discussions. . . . The resulting theory constitutes a major innovation in contemporary moral theory. Many will think Mulgan's theory the best account yet of duties towards the needy. In any case, it is a strikingly impressive achievement. . . . Until a clearly superior theory is developed, everyone interested in normative moral theory must read this book. * Brad Hooker, Philosophy *
The Demands of Consequentialism is a very interesting book, devoted to a no less fascinating problem. If you have ever found yourself wondering whether you should, for instance, spend money on the trip of your life, or instead send it to Oxfam, this book will be of real interest to you ... Mulgan's insightful book contains clear and fine-grained discussions of the various views he rejects. * European Journal of Philosophy *
Tim Mulgan is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Auckland.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780199286973 |
| ISBN 10 | 0199286973 |
| Title | The Demands of Consequentialism |
| Author | Mulgan |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
| Year published | 2005-10-20 |
| Number of pages | 324 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |