Goodness and Justice
A Consequentialist Moral Theory

In this text, Joseph Mendola develops a unified moral theory that defends the hedonism of classical utilitarianism.

Joseph Mendola (Author)

9780521353557, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 14 July 2011

338 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm, 0.5 kg

Review of the hardback: 'Mendola follows the arguments wherever they lead him, undaunted and proud, no matter how unlikely the conclusion. Goodness and Justice is not just provocative, however. It is a rewarding and challenging book thoroughly packed with relentless and systematic arguments.' Utilitas

In Goodness and Justice, Joseph Mendola develops a unified moral theory that defends the hedonism of classical utilitarianism, while evading utilitarianism's familiar difficulties by adopting two modifications. His theory incorporates a developed form of consequentialism. When, as is common, someone is engaged in conflicting group acts, it requires that one perform one's role in that group act that is most beneficent. The theory also holds that overall value is distribution-sensitive, ceding maximum weight to the well-being of the worst-off sections of sentient lives. It is properly congruent with commonsense intuition and required by the true metaphysics of value, by the unconstituted natural good found in our world.

1. Introduction
Part I. A Better Consequentialism: 2. Multiple-act consequentialism
3. Three objections
Part II. Hedonism: 4. Intuitive hedonism
5. Natural good
Part III. MAXIMIN: 6. Just Construction
7. Maximin, risks, and flecks
Part IV. Advice for Atomic Agents: 8. A coda.

Subject Areas: Ethics & moral philosophy [HPQ], History of Western philosophy [HPC], Philosophy [HP]