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.”
Read the Liberty Classic on this title from Econlib.
The Principles of Ethics, introduction by Tibor R. Machan (Indianapolis: LibertyClassics, 1978). Vol. 2.
Copyright:
The copyright to this edition, in both print and electronic forms, is held by Liberty Fund, Inc.
People:
- Author: Herbert Spencer
- Introduction: Tibor R. Machan
Formats:
Format | Description | Size |
---|---|---|
EBook PDF | This text-based PDF or EBook was created from the HTML version of this book and is part of the Portable Library of Liberty. | 1.06 MB |
HTML | This version has been converted from the original text. Every effort has been taken to translate the unique features of the printed book into the HTML medium. | 1000 KB |
Table of Contents
- 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