
Sorting Out Ethics
R. M. Hare(Author)
Clarendon Press
Published on 13. November 1997
Book
Hardback
202 pages
978-0-19-823727-3 (ISBN)
Description
R. M. Hare writes in his Preface: 'I offer this taxonomy of ethical theories to all those who are lost in the moral maze, including many of my philosophical colleagues. They are lost because, like most of those who hold forth on moral questions in the media, they have no map of the maze. This it has been my aim to provide.' Sorting Out Ethics is a characteristically lucid and lively survey of rival ethical theories by one of the most influential moral philosophers of the century. It also constitutes a definitive summary of Hare's own fundamental ethical position. The main theme of the book is that objectivity in moral thinking is not to be sought by making moral questions into questions of fact; this leads inevitably to relativism, tying us to particular cultures and languages. Objectivity is to be sought, rather, by emphasizing the universally prescriptive character of moral language, which all cultures can share, and so using it to resolve their moral differences. An objective moral prescription, as Kant saw, is one upon which all rational thinkers can agree.
Reviews / Votes
Sorting Out Ethics will not only serve the beginner as a systematically arranged introduction to one of the most interesting, as well as most important ethical theories twentieth century's philosophy has brought about. Even practical philosophers well acquainted with Hare's theory will profit from finding it articulated in an updated terminology, and closely connected to actual debates of philosophy of language. Poiesis Prax The book is extremely effective: written with customary clarity and vigour, and succenctly summarizing and cross-referencing the argument of the earlier works, it should replace them on reading lists as a student's first exposure to Hare's views. Garrett Cullity, Times Literary Supplement The book is warmly to be recommended. Students, especially, will appreciate its central section, in which developments in moral philosophy during the present century are traced with exceptional clarity. International Philosophical QuarterlyMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Oxford University Press
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
bibliography, index
Dimensions
Height: 203 mm
Width: 135 mm
Weight
359 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-823727-3 (9780198237273)
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Schweitzer Classification
Content
PART I: THE ENTERPRISE OF MORAL PHILOSOPHY; 1. Philosophy of Language in Ethics [previously published]; 2. Defence of the Enterprise; PART II: A TAXONOMY OF ETHICAL THEORIES (THE AXEL HAGERSTROM LECTURES); 3. Taxonomy; 4. Naturalism; 5. Intuitionism; 6. Emotivism; 7. Rationalism; PART III: KANT; 8. Could Kant Have Been a Utilitarian? [previously published]; Complete Bibliography of the Writings of R. M. Hare; Bibliography of Other Writings. Index