Backgrounders

The MercatorNet Backgrounders are crisp and incisive commentaries written by experts on a range of hot-button issues in the news.

These will eventually include moral relativism, libertarianism, democracy, cloning, IVF, family life and TV and the internet, international debt relief, responsible parenthood, politicians and conscience, end-of-life issues, tolerance and fatherhood.

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Utilitarianism

Stephen Buckle | 06 January 2007

Probably the most persuasive ethical theory in contemporary ethical debates in the media and in politics is utilitarianism. Here philosopher Stephen Buckle, of the Australian Catholic University, analyses its main features.