Final answer:
Julia Driver is known for her analysis of utilitarian principles, particularly within the context of altruism and its role in ethical theory. She critiques ethical egoism and explores the broader implications of utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics in contemporary moral philosophy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Julia Driver wrote about altruism in context with ethical theories. Specifically, she is well-known for her critique of ethical egoism and her analysis of utilitarian principles. In 'The History of Utilitarianism', Driver discussed prominent topics within ethical theory including altruism, which is the selfless concern for the welfare of others. While her work touches on various ethical frameworks such as consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics, she is particularly recognized for contributing to discussions on utilitarianism. Driver's analysis considers arguments for and against the notion that only altruistic actions are considered completely moral, and the counter-view that self-interest can also motivate moral treatment of others.
Within ethical theory, consequentialism evaluates the morality of an action based on its outcomes, where actions leading to the greatest good are deemed right. Driver’s examination of utilitarianism falls under this category. Meanwhile, deontology bases the morality of actions on adherence to duties or rules. Virtue ethics, another area in which Driver’s work provides insight, focuses on character and moral virtues rather than just the consequences of actions. Pluralists like Sir William David Ross, whom Driver discusses, argue that previous moral theories like classic utilitarianism and Kantian deontology overly simplify moral decisions. Ross and others highlight the complexity of moral duties and the importance of context in ethical decision-making, an area Driver's work acknowledges and builds upon.