The Moral Problem

by Michael Smith

Overview

This widely anticipated volume offers a systematic introduction to and striking analysis of the central issues animating current debate in moral philosophy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780631192466
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	12/05/1994
Series:	Philosophical Theory
Pages:	242
Product dimensions:	6.02(w) x 9.04(h) x 0.72(d)

About the Author

Michael Smith is Reader in Philosophy at Monash University, Australia, having taught previously at the University of Oxford and Princeton University. He is the author of several essays in ethics and moral philosophy.

Table of Contents

1. What is the Moral Problem?.

2. The Expressivist Challenge.

3. The Externalist Challenge.

4. The Humean Theory of Motivation.

5. An Anti-Humean Theory of Normative Reasons.

6. How to Solve the Moral Problem.

Editorial Reviews

“The Moral Problem's ability tocombine originality and subject overview are two factors thatrender this book an essential text for anyone enrolled on anintermediate level moral philosophy course and above. With acertain level of guidance, the book's powerful clarity andexplanatory style could also be harnessed at the introductorylevel. Overall, I strong recommend this text and believe thenon-philosopher would also learn a great deal about how moralphilosophy works.”  (Philosophy & Economics BooksReviews, 1 April 2013)

"Vigorous, engaging, and marvelously sophisticated, Michael Smith'sThe Moral Problem faces head-on the challenge of reconcilingmorality's motivational relevance with its claims to objectivityand categorical force - without abandoning a Humean account ofhuman action and without metaphysical extravagance." GeoffreySayre-McCord, University of North Carolina

"Extraordinarily clear and well organised. Reading this booktakes you right into the centre of the intense contemporary debateon moral theory. Smith knows exactly what he is doing, and slowlyputs together a redoubtable argument for the broadly realistposition he favours." Jonathan Dancy, University ofReading

 

"An intelligent, clear, and engaging book" Times LiterarySupplement

"An outstanding and ambitious work, it serves at once as a lucidintroduction to metaethics and a wide-ranging inquiry into some ofits hardest problems." Brad Hooker, University ofReading

"A marvelous volume: it is not only an important contribution tophilosophical ethics, but also an exciting introduction to thesubject. The book is an excellent model of how to do philosophy, amodel I hope students (and their teachers) will adopt forthemselves." Gilbert Harman, Princeton University

From the Publisher