Version of utilitarianism which replaces the maximization of good by the minimization of evil.
Supporters of the theory, who include Karl Raimund Popper (1902-1994), say that by aiming at removing evils rather than achieving positive goods we shall avoid the disadvantages of utopianism usually incurred by those who try to plan for a perfect world.
To take an extreme example, it is alleged that one might well increase either the total happiness or the average happiness by simply killing off the unfit and others.
Source:
H B Acton and J W N Watkins, ‘Negative Utilitarianism’, Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, supplementary volume (1963);
K R Popper, The Open Society and Its Enemies (1945)
Table of Contents
- 1 Videos
- 2 Related Products
- 2.1 Anti-Natalism and the Future of Suffering: Why Negative Utilitarians Should Not Aim For Extinction
- 2.2 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: 7 Ways to Freedom from Anxiety, Depression, and Intrusive Thoughts (Happiness is a trainable, attainable skill! Book 1)
- 2.3 Suffering-Focused Ethics: Defense and Implications
- 2.4 Philosophical Provocations: 55 Short Essays (The MIT Press)
- 2.5 Karl Popper’s Response to 1938
- 2.6 The Brain Heart Link: End Anxiety, Depression, Panic Attacks, Control Anger, Negative Thinking And Master Your Emotions
- 2.7 A Hedonist Manifesto: The Power to Exist (Insurrections: Critical Studies in Religion, Politics, and Culture)
- 2.8 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Master Your Brain and Emotions to Overcome Anxiety, Depression and Negative Thoughts (CBT Self Help Book 1- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
- 2.9 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: Stress Management: Anxiety and Depression: How to rewire your brain to overcome anxiety and depression, boost your mood, ... Negative Thinking, Obsessive Thoughts)
- 2.10 Free Your Mind: A Guide to Freedom from Anxiety, Depression, Panic Attacks and Intrusive Thoughts
Videos
Anti-Natalism and the Future of Suffering: Why Negative Utilitarians Should Not Aim For Extinction
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Vinding, Magnus (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 18 Pages - 08/30/2018 (Publication Date)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: 7 Ways to Freedom from Anxiety, Depression, and Intrusive Thoughts (Happiness is a trainable, attainable skill! Book 1)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Wallace, Lawrence (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 101 Pages - 01/31/2016 (Publication Date)
Suffering-Focused Ethics: Defense and Implications
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- Vinding, Magnus (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 314 Pages - 05/28/2020 (Publication Date) - Ratio Ethica (Publisher)
Philosophical Provocations: 55 Short Essays (The MIT Press)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- McGinn, Colin (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 328 Pages - 08/11/2017 (Publication Date) - The MIT Press (Publisher)
Karl Popper’s Response to 1938
- English (Publication Language)
- 162 Pages - 08/20/2008 (Publication Date) - Peter Lang GmbH, Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften (Publisher)
The Brain Heart Link: End Anxiety, Depression, Panic Attacks, Control Anger, Negative Thinking And Master Your Emotions
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Wayfair, Robert (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 100 Pages - 03/17/2019 (Publication Date)
A Hedonist Manifesto: The Power to Exist (Insurrections: Critical Studies in Religion, Politics, and Culture)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Onfray, Michel (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 232 Pages - 11/10/2015 (Publication Date) - Columbia University Press (Publisher)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Master Your Brain and Emotions to Overcome Anxiety, Depression and Negative Thoughts (CBT Self Help Book 1- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Andrews, Bill (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 109 Pages - 07/21/2017 (Publication Date)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: Stress Management: Anxiety and Depression: How to rewire your brain to overcome anxiety and depression, boost your mood, ... Negative Thinking, Obsessive Thoughts)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Hart, Dominique (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 71 Pages - 05/05/2017 (Publication Date)
Free Your Mind: A Guide to Freedom from Anxiety, Depression, Panic Attacks and Intrusive Thoughts
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Stevens, Jamie (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 64 Pages - 07/22/2017 (Publication Date)
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