A volume of studies of utilitarianism considered both as a theory of personal morality and a theory of public choice. Between the papers they represent not only a wide range of arguments for and against utilitarianism but also a first-class selection of the most interesting and influential work in this very active area.

Preface; Introduction: utilitarianism and beyond Amartya Sen and Bernard Williams; 1. Ethical theory and utilitarianism R. M. Hare; 2. Morality and the theory of rational behaviour John C. Harsanyi; 3. The economic uses of utilitarianism J. A. Mirrlees; 4. Utilitarianism, uncertainty and information Peter J. Hammond; 5. Contractualism and utilitarianism T. M. Scanlon; 6. The diversity of goods Charles Taylor; 7. Morality and convention Stuart Hampshire; 8. Social unity and primary goods John Rawls; 9. On some difficulties of the utilitarian economist Frank Hahn; 10. Utilitarianism, information and rights Partha Dasgupta; 11. Sour grapes - utilitarianism and the genesis of wants Jon Elster; 12. Liberty and welfare Isaac Levi; 13. Under which descriptions? Frederic Schick; 14. What's the use of going to school? Amy Gutmann; Bibliography.