Dimensions of Moral Theory: An Introduction to Metaethics and Moral Psychology

Dimensions of Moral Theory examines the key presuppositions and philosophical commitments that support and shape moral theories.

Many of the topics discussed belong to metaethics, the study of moral concepts, language, and thought rather than a study of moral issues themselves. Other topics are under the heading of moral psychology and concern fundamental issues about the nature of moral agents, moral motivation, and the roles of reason, desire, and pleasure in moral action and experience. The book introduces metaethical and moral psychological positions and arguments and shows how they are generated and why they are important. It thereby brings to light some of the most important philosophical problems raised by moral theorizing.

This volume formulates these issues of moral epistemology, the metaphysics of moral value, and moral motivation in a clear and rigorous but non–technical manner.

Preface.

Acknowledgments.

1. Objectivity and Subjectivity.

Interpretations of Objectivity.

Monism and Pluralism.

This Way to Subjectivism.

Subjectivity and Sentiment.

Subjectivism and Skepticism.

Relativism.

Where Now?.

Questions for Discussion and Reflection.

Thinkers and Their Works and Further Reading.

Notes.

2. Moral Theory and Moral Psychology.

Moral Motivation.

Virtue and Motivation.

Self–interest and Morality.

What about Luck?.

Are Moral Considerations Overriding?.

Where Now?.

Questions for Discussion and Reflection.

Thinkers and Their Works and Further Reading.

Notes.

3. Forms of Moral Theory.

Consequentialism.

Kantian Non–consequentialism.

Intuitionist Non–consequentialism.

The Virtue–centered Approach.

Contractarianism.

Theories, Duties, and Metaethics.

Where Now?.

Questions for Discussion and Reflection.

Thinkers and Their Works and Further Reading.

Notes.

4. Naturalism and Non–naturalism.

Naturalism.

The Modern Debate about Naturalism.

Reconstructed Naturalism.

Non–cognitivist Alternatives.

Hume and Naturalism.

Reconnecting Facts and Values.

Aristotle and Naturalism.

Moral Facts and Explanation.

What About God?.

Where Now?.

Questions for Discussion and Reflection.

Thinkers and Their Works and Further Reading.

Notes.

Conclusion.

Glossary.

Bibliography.

Index.

Jonathan Jacobs is Professor of Philosophy and Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion at Colgate University. He is author of Practical Realism and Moral Psychology (1995), A Philosopher's Compass (2001), and Choosing Character: Responsibility for Virtue and Vice (2001).

" Dimensions of Moral Theory is clear, concise, and in close touch with major texts in the history of ethics. It is remarkably comprehensive for a short book, and it is outstanding for its integration of the presentation of basic positions in ethical theory and the analysis of major issues in moral psychology." Robert Audi, University of Nebraska <!––end––>

"This book provides a lucid and engaging introduction to the major issues of moral theory which gives a fine sense of the complexities of the subject while remaining thoroughly accessible. What particularly impressed me is the way that Jacobs shows the relevance of the thought of classical authors, such as Aristotle, Hume, and Kant, to contemporary debate. There is a real sense of engaging in a continuing dialogue that spans the history of the subject. The book also contains a helpful glossary and study aids for the student." David McNaughton, Keele University