The Moral Life

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The book "The Concept of the Moral Good" challenges the view that no cogent arguments exist for practical morality and develops an argument that provides answers to primary questions of practical morality.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 106 pages
Publication date: 01 June 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This groundbreaking work, originally published in 1969, presents a compelling challenge to the prevailing belief among many 20th-century philosophers that no cogent arguments exist to support the normative pronouncements of practical morality. The book argues forcefully that this conclusion is erroneous and stems from fundamental flaws inherent in the traditional ethical framework. In contrast to the prevailing modes of reasoning that have dominated the history of Western ethics, this volume presents an innovative argumentation structure that enables it to address critical questions of practical morality with clarity and insight.

The central premise of the book is that traditional ethical frameworks are fundamentally flawed in their approach to understanding the nature of morality and the principles that guide human behavior. These frameworks, rooted in rationalist and deontological principles, often fail to account for the complex and multifaceted nature of human moral experience. As a result, they are unable to provide a comprehensive and coherent account of how we ought to act as moral beings.

To address this issue, the book develops a novel argumentation structure that draws on insights from various fields, including philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience. This approach allows for a more holistic understanding of morality and enables us to address questions such as how we should treat others, what constitutes right and wrong, and how we can cultivate moral character.

One of the key insights of the book is that morality is not a fixed set of principles or rules that apply universally to all situations. Rather, it is a dynamic and context-dependent phenomenon that is shaped by a range of factors, including our upbringing, cultural norms, and personal experiences. The book argues that we need to move beyond the narrow confines of traditional ethical frameworks and adopt a more flexible and nuanced approach to morality that recognizes the diversity of human experiences and the complexity of moral dilemmas.

Another important aspect of the book is its exploration of the role of emotions and intuition in moral decision-making. The book argues that these cognitive processes are essential to our moral development and that they can provide valuable insights into the nature of morality and the principles that guide human behavior. By integrating these insights into our ethical reasoning, we can develop a more intuitive and compassionate approach to morality that is more in tune with the complex and nuanced nature of human moral experience.

In conclusion, this groundbreaking work challenges the prevailing view among many 20th-century philosophers that no cogent arguments exist to support the normative pronouncements of practical morality. By presenting a novel argumentation structure that draws on insights from various fields, the book enables us to develop a more comprehensive and coherent account of how we ought to act as moral beings. Through its exploration of the role of emotions and intuition in moral decision-making, the book also provides valuable insights into the nature of morality and the principles that guide human behavior. This work is a must-read for anyone interested in the field of ethics and the pursuit of a more ethical and compassionate world.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367512453