[T]he doctrine that Universal Happiness is the ultimate standard must not be understood to imply that Universal Benevolence is the only right or always best motive of action. For, as we have before observed, it is not necessary that the end which gives the criterion of rightness should always be the end at which we consciously aim: and if experience shows that the general happiness will be more satisfactorily attained if men frequently act from other motives than pure universal philanthropy, it is obvious that these other motives are reasonably to be preferred on Utilitarian principles.
(Henry Sidgwick, The Methods of Ethics, 7th ed. [Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1981], bk. IV, chap. I, sec. 1, p. 413 [italics in original] [first published in 1907; 1st ed. published in 1874])
Note from KBJ: Experience does show that "the general happiness will be more satisfactorily attained if men frequently act from other motives than pure universal philanthropy." Indeed, I would argue, with Adam Smith, that the motive of self-interest conduces to "the general happiness." A utilitarian, therefore, should prefer self-interest (i.e., particularized benevolence) to universal benevolence.
