This book investigates the internal consistency and practical application of utilitarian moral theory when subjected to rigorous philosophical scrutiny. Christopher Woodard, a scholar in moral and political philosophy, evaluates the core tenets of utilitarianism by addressing common objections and refining the framework to better account for individual agency and moral intuition. He utilizes a combination of analytical philosophy and historical context to argue that utilitarianism remains a robust ethical system when interpreted through a sophisticated, non-reductive lens.

Scholars in the field of ethics frequently cite this work as a significant contribution to the contemporary defense of utilitarianism. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which is intended for an audience familiar with formal moral philosophy.