The Limits of Morality

This book, which is part of a series on moral philosophy, questions whether there are limits to the sacrifices that morality can demand of us. The author contends that generally we do not think that we are morally required to make our greatest possible contributions to the overall good; rather, morality permits us to pursue our own personal goals and interests. He also examines a second widely-held view that certain types of acts are simply forbidden even when necessary for promoting the overall good. The attempt to defend this second form of moral limit is also rejected as inadequate. In thus rejecting two of the most fundamental features of common-sense morality, the author offers a sustained attack on our ordinary moral views.