In this book, first published in 1991, the author Dr Robin Barrow adopts the view that utilitarianism is the most coherent and persuasive ethical theory we have and argues in favour of a specific form of rule-utilitarianism. This book will be of interest to students of philosophy.

1. What Lies Ahead? 2. What is an Ethical Theory and of What Kind of Proof is it Susceptible? 3. What is Utilitarianism? 4. What is Happiness? 5. Is Utilitarianism Necessarily Conservative? 6. Rule- or Act-Utilitarianism? 7. Quantity of Quality of Happiness? 8. Does the Utilitarian Recognize Other Values Besides Happiness? 9. Will the Utilitarian Accept Scapegoats and Will he Perform Acts of Supererogation? 10. Does Utilitarianism Offer an Impoverished Conception of Morality?; Bibliography; Name Index; Subject Index