Thinking How to Live

Reviews / Votes

Everywhere in Gibbard's impressive book opponents as well as allies have much to learn... His book is a pleasure to read, crafted with admirable care and clarity while minimizing technicality. The arguments are concise, and much has been packed into a relatively short compass, but there is a wealth of rich and suggestive detail. It is a book that deserves close study, and will stimulate and reward reflection. -- Garrett Cullity * Philosophical Quarterly * In this fascinating book, Gibbard applies his development of the tools of traditional Anglo-American metaethical theory to the questions about that most basic philosophical concern: How should one live?... Gibbard's arguments are clear and illustrated with helpful examples. His final result is sure to generate disagreement, but theorists in this area must contend with his arguments. -- J. H. Barker * Choice * Gibbard writes elegantly, and the theory he develops is innovative, philosophically sophisticated, and challenging. Gibbard defends his theory vigorously and with admirable intellectual honesty. -- David Copp, Professor of Philosophy, Bowling Green State University This is a remarkable book. It takes up a central and much-discussed problem-the difference between normative thought (and discourse) and 'descriptive' thought (and discourse). It develops a compelling response to that problem with ramifications for much else in philosophy. But perhaps most importantly, it brings new clarity and rigor to the discussion of these tangled issues. It will take some time to come to terms with the details of Gibbard's discussion. It is absolutely clear, however, that the book will reconfigure the debate over objectivity and 'factuality' in ethics. -- Gideon Rosen, Professor of Philosophy, Princeton University