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Utilitarianism and the role of utility in Adam Smith

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  • Amos Witztum
  • Jeffrey T. Young

Abstract

In this paper we confront attempts to bring Smith closer to utilitarianism. We show that Smith's conception of utility is not utilitarian. While the pursuit of ‘pleasure’ could lie behind human behaviour, it is not the pleasure referred to by utilitarianism. Instead, utility, in its colloquial sense, plays a greater role that suggests a type of consideration which is foreign to utilitarianism and which also introduces a rationalist element to Smith's moral analysis. Thus, utility, in the utilitarian sense, is neither a guide to action nor a means for moral evaluation.

Suggested Citation

  • Amos Witztum & Jeffrey T. Young, 2013. "Utilitarianism and the role of utility in Adam Smith," The European Journal of the History of Economic Thought, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(4), pages 572-602, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:eujhet:v:20:y:2013:i:4:p:572-602
    DOI: 10.1080/09672567.2011.592846
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jeffrey T. Young, 1997. "Economics as a Moral Science," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 842.
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    Cited by:

    1. Amos Witztum, 2016. "Experimental Economics, Game Theory and Das Adam Smith Problem," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 42(4), pages 528-556, September.
    2. Nicola Giocoli, 2019. "The classical limits to police power and the economic foundations of the Slaughterhouse dissents," Constitutional Political Economy, Springer, vol. 30(4), pages 407-437, December.
    3. Samuel Hollander, 2016. "Ethical Utilitarianism and The Theory of Moral Sentiments: Adam Smith in Relation to Hume and Bentham," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 42(4), pages 557-580, September.
    4. Michael McLure & Rogério Arthmar, 2024. "Vilfredo Pareto’s Sociologia in relation to Adam Smith’s the theory of moral sentiments," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 71(3), pages 491-506, September.
    5. Paganelli, Maria Pia & Simon, Fabrizio & Assistant, JHET, 2020. "Crime and Punishment: Adam Smith’s Theory of Sentimental Law and Economics," OSF Preprints x82yh, Center for Open Science.

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