Henry Sidgwick Books
Henry Sidgwick (1838–1900) was an English philosopher and economist, best known for his contributions to ethics and political philosophy. A fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, he was a leading figure in the utilitarian tradition and a co-founder of Newnham College, advancing higher education for women.
Known for: The Methods of Ethics
Books by Henry Sidgwick
The Methods of Ethics
The Methods of Ethics is a foundational work in moral philosophy by Henry Sidgwick, first published in 1874. It systematically examines the principles of utilitarianism, intuitionism, and egoism, aiming to determine the rational basis of moral judgment. Sidgwick’s rigorous analysis and comparison of ethical methods established the framework for much of modern moral theory and remains a cornerstone text in philosophical ethics.
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Book I – The Scope and Method of Ethics
In the first book, I sought to define the boundaries of ethical inquiry. Ethics, I argued, must be concerned with what ought to be done—an imperative question distinct from the descriptive sciences of psychology or sociology. It is not enough to record how people act or why they feel certain impulse...
From The Methods of Ethics
Book II – Egoism
The first of these methods, egoism, begins from a seemingly undeniable truth—that each person naturally seeks his own happiness. To follow reason, it might seem we should pursue it wisely, preferring long-term satisfaction to short-lived pleasure. I called this 'rational egoism': the view that the r...
From The Methods of Ethics
About Henry Sidgwick
Henry Sidgwick (1838–1900) was an English philosopher and economist, best known for his contributions to ethics and political philosophy. A fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, he was a leading figure in the utilitarian tradition and a co-founder of Newnham College, advancing higher education for w...
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Henry Sidgwick (1838–1900) was an English philosopher and economist, best known for his contributions to ethics and political philosophy. A fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, he was a leading figure in the utilitarian tradition and a co-founder of Newnham College, advancing higher education for w...
Henry Sidgwick (1838–1900) was an English philosopher and economist, best known for his contributions to ethics and political philosophy. A fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, he was a leading figure in the utilitarian tradition and a co-founder of Newnham College, advancing higher education for women. His works, including The Methods of Ethics, continue to influence moral philosophy and the study of rational decision-making.
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Henry Sidgwick (1838–1900) was an English philosopher and economist, best known for his contributions to ethics and political philosophy. A fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, he was a leading figure in the utilitarian tradition and a co-founder of Newnham College, advancing higher education for women.
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