Skip to main content

Two Parfit Puzzles

  • Chapter

Part of the book series: Library Of Ethics And Applied Philosophy ((LOET,volume 15))

Under the Total View one possible outcome is better than another if and only if it contains more happiness. If the best way to increase total happiness is to greatly increase the number of people while greatly reducing their average happiness, then the Total View must advocate population growth. Derek Parfit uses this feature of the Total View to generate the following conclusion (1984, p. 388).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2004 Kluwer Academic Publishers

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Mulgan, T. (2004). Two Parfit Puzzles. In: Tännsjö, T., Ryberg, J. (eds) The Repugnant Conclusion. Library Of Ethics And Applied Philosophy, vol 15. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-2473-3_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-2473-3_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-2472-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-2473-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics