The Methods of Ethics (ePub)

Henry Sidgwick (1838-1900) was an eminent English philosopher and a key figure in the field of ethics during the late 19th century. His analytical prowess was matched by a deep concern for practical moral issues, making his work significant both in theoretical philosophy and the application of ethical principles. Sidgwick was a member of the intellectual society known as the Cambridge Apostles and a co-founder of Newnham College, Cambridge, one of the first English university colleges for women. His philosophical masterpiece, 'The Methods of Ethics' (1874), is a seminal work in which he examines various ethical systems and seeks to establish a coherent moral philosophy by the application of rational procedures. In it, Sidgwick explores the contradictions he perceives in deontological and utilitarian thought and attempts to reconcile them through the concept of 'rational egoism,' eventually leading the way to the principle of 'universalistic hedonism.' This work significantly influenced both contemporaries and subsequent generations of ethicists. Sidgwick's writing is characterized by its precise and methodical nature, forensically examining moral tenets with an almost scientific objectivity. Beyond ethics, Sidgwick also contributed writings in economics, political theory, and the philosophy of religion, but 'The Methods of Ethics' stands as his most notable and enduring contribution to philosophical literature.