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The Principles of Ethics, vol. 2 (LF ed.)

Spencer considered The Principles of Ethics to be his finest work. In volume I he covers the data of ethics, the inductions of ethics, and the ethics of individual life. In the second volume he covers the ethics of social life (or justice), negative beneficence, positive beneficence, and a number of topics in several appendices (such as Kant’s theory of rights, land ownership, and animal rights). In the large section on “Justice” he discusses property rights, free exchange, free speech, the rights of women and children, and the nature of the state. His formula for justice is summed up in these words: “Every man is free to do that which he wills, provided he infringes not the equal freedom of any other man.”

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The Principles of Ethics, introduction by Tibor R. Machan (Indianapolis: LibertyClassics, 1978). Vol. 2.

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Author: Herbert Spencer
Introduction: Tibor R. Machan

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The Principles of Ethics, 2 vols. (1879) (LF ed.) (Herbert Spencer)

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CONTENTS
PREFACE TO VOLUME II
PREFACE TO PART IV (When First Issued Separately)
PART IV.: THE ETHICS OF SOCIAL LIFE: JUSTICE
CHAPTER 1.: Animal Ethics
CHAPTER 2.: Subhuman Justice
CHAPTER 3.: Human Justice
CHAPTER 4.: The Sentiment of Justice
CHAPTER 5.: The Idea of Justice
CHAPTER 6.: The Formula of Justice
CHAPTER 7.: The Authority of This Formula
CHAPTER 8.: Its Corollaries
CHAPTER 9.: The Right to Physical Integrity
CHAPTER 10.: The Rights to Free Motion and Locomotion
CHAPTER 11.: The Rights to the Uses of Natural Media
CHAPTER 12.: The Right of Property
CHAPTER 13.: The Right of Incorporeal Property
CHAPTER 14.: The Rights of Gift and Bequest
CHAPTER 15.: The Rights of Free Exchange and Free Contract
CHAPTER 16.: The Right to Free Industry
CHAPTER 17.: The Rights of Free Belief and Worship
CHAPTER 18.: The Rights of Free Speech and Publication
CHAPTER 19.: A Retrospect with an Addition
CHAPTER 20.: The Rights of Women
CHAPTER 21.: The Rights of Children
CHAPTER 22.: Political Rights–So-Called
CHAPTER 23.: The Nature of the State
CHAPTER 24.: The Constitution of the State
CHAPTER 25.: The Duties of the State
CHAPTER 26.: The Limits of State Duties
CHAPTER 27.: The Limits of State Duties–Continued
CHAPTER 28.: The Limits of State Duties–Continued
CHAPTER 29.: The Limits of State Duties–Concluded
Endnotes to Part IV
PART V.: THE ETHICS OF SOCIAL LIFE: NEGATIVE BENEFICENCE
CHAPTER 1.: Kinds of Altruism
CHAPTER 2.: Restraints on Free Competition
CHAPTER 3.: Restraints on Free Contract
CHAPTER 4.: Restraints on Undeserved Payments
CHAPTER 5.: Restraints on Displays of Ability
CHAPTER 6.: Restraints on Blame
CHAPTER 7.: Restraints on Praise
CHAPTER 8.: The Ultimate Sanctions
PART VI.: THE ETHICS OF SOCIAL LIFE: POSITIVE BENEFICENCE
CHAPTER 1.: Marital Beneficence
CHAPTER 2.: Parental Beneficence
CHAPTER 3.: Filial Beneficence
CHAPTER 4.: Aiding the Sick and the Injured
CHAPTER 5.: Succor to the Ill-Used and the Endangered
CHAPTER 6.: Pecuniary Aid to Relatives and Friends
CHAPTER 7.: Relief of the Poor
CHAPTER 8.: Social Beneficence
CHAPTER 9.: Political Beneficence
CHAPTER 10.: Beneficence at Large
Endnotes to Part VI
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A.: The Kantian Idea of Rights
APPENDIX B.: The Land Question
APPENDIX C.: The Moral Motive
APPENDIX D.: Conscience in Animals
APPENDIX E.: Replies to Criticisms
Endnotes to the Appendices
REFERENCES
References to Volume II
Titles of Works Referred To