Reason and Ethics: The Case Against Objective Value

Reason and Ethics argues that all values are subjective and that human affairs can be conducted fruitfully in full awareness of this. It challenges the existence of objective values and suggests that rationality can be rescued without recourse to morality on pragmatic grounds. The book is written in an accessible and engaging style and will be of interest to scholars and students working in metaethics and the generally intellectually curious.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 214 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Reason and Ethics is a groundbreaking work that challenges the notion of objective values and proposes a novel perspective on human affairs. In this book, Joel Marks goes beyond his previous work defending moral skepticism and questions the very existence of objective values. He suggests that while the denial of morality may lead to the relinquishment of rationality, it is not necessary to reject morality altogether. Marks disarms the Companions in Guilt argument by conceding the irreality of both morality and logic, but he still manages to rescue rationality on pragmatic grounds.

He proposes a positive account of how life can be lived productively without recourse to attributions and assertions of right and wrong, good and bad, and even truth and falsity. Written in an accessible and engaging style, Reason and Ethics will be of interest to scholars and students working in metaethics as well as to the generally intellectually curious.

Marks begins by examining the traditional view that all values are subjective and argues that this view is not only theoretically flawed but also impractical. He points out that while individuals may have different subjective values, these values cannot be used to guide practical decision-making in the real world. For example, if two individuals have different subjective values regarding the importance of money, they may disagree on whether to invest in a particular business venture.

Marks then introduces the concept of "pragmatic values," which are values that are useful for guiding practical decision-making. These values are not subjective and can be objectively assessed based on their usefulness in achieving certain goals. For example, the value of happiness is a pragmatic value because it is useful for achieving certain goals, such as living a fulfilling life or achieving success.

Marks argues that while pragmatic values may be different for different individuals, they are still objective in the sense that they can be objectively assessed based on their usefulness. He also argues that pragmatic values can be used to guide practical decision-making in the real world, even though they may not be the same as subjective values.

One of the key arguments in Reason and Ethics is the Companions in Guilt argument, which suggests that the denial of morality would mean relinquishing rationality as well. Marks challenges this argument by conceding the irreality of both morality and logic, but he still manages to rescue rationality on pragmatic grounds.

Marks argues that while morality and logic may be illusions, they are still useful for guiding practical decision-making. He suggests that while we may not be able to know what is right and wrong, we can still make decisions that are useful for achieving certain goals. For example, we may make decisions based on our intuition or our sense of empathy, even though we may not be able to justify these decisions in terms of morality or logic.

Marks also offers a positive account of how life can be lived productively without recourse to attributions and assertions of right and wrong, good and bad, and even truth and falsity. He suggests that we can live a fulfilling life by focusing on our own goals and values and by living in accordance with our own sense of morality. He also suggests that we can live a productive life by focusing on our own goals and values and by living in accordance with our own sense of morality.

In conclusion, Reason and Ethics is a groundbreaking work that challenges the notion of objective values and proposes a novel perspective on human affairs. By introducing the concept of pragmatic values and challenging the Companions in Guilt argument, Marks offers a practical and accessible approach to living a fulfilling and productive life. This book will be of interest to scholars and students working in metaethics as well as to the generally intellectually curious.

Weight: 420g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367540166