The Methods of Ethics
The Methods of Ethics, first published in 1874 and here given in the seventh edition of 1907, is Henry Sidgwick's examination of the three ways in which people actually reason about what they ought to do: egoistic hedonism, which seeks the agent's own greatest happiness; intuitionism, the morality of common sense with its duties of justice, veracity and benevolence; and utilitarianism, which seeks the greatest happiness of all. Sidgwick works through each with great patience, argues that common-sense morality unconsciously tends toward utilitarianism, and ends by confessing that reason cannot reconcile the claims of self-interest and of duty, the dualism of practical reason that troubled him to the end. It was his life's work. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
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Frequently asked questions about The Methods of Ethics
The Methods of Ethics by Henry Sidgwick can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Methods of Ethics online?
Yes. The Methods of Ethics opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Methods of Ethics free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Methods of Ethics is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Methods of Ethics in the public domain?
Yes. The Methods of Ethics by Henry Sidgwick is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Methods of Ethics?
About 14 h 08 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Methods of Ethics?
The Methods of Ethics by Henry Sidgwick is filed under "Philosophy" in the Vinteuil library.
