In this book John Kekes examines the indispensable role enjoyment plays in a good life. The key to it is the development of a style of life that combines an attitude and a manner of living and acting that jointly express one's deepest concerns. Since such styles vary with characters and circumstances, a reasonable understanding of them requires attending to the particular and concrete details of individual lives. Reflection on works of literature is a better guide to this kind of understanding than the futile search for general theories and principles that preoccupies much of contemporary moral thought. Enjoyment proceeds by the detailed examination of particular cases, shows how this kind of reflection can be reasonably conducted, and how the quest for universality and impartiality is misguided in this context. Central to the argument is a practical, particular, pluralistic, and yet objective conception of reason that rejects the pervasive contemporary tendency to regard reasons as good only if they are binding on all who aspire to live reasonably and morally. Reason in morality is neither theoretical nor general. Reasons for living and acting in particular ways are individually variable and none the worse for that. Kekes aims to reorient moral thought from deontological, contractarian, and consequentialist preoccupations toward a reasonable but pluralistic reflection on what individuals can do to make their lives better.

About the Author
John Kekes has been Research Professor at the State University of New York and Visiting Professor in Canada, Estonia, Hungary, Portugal, and Singapore. He has received Fellowships from the Canada Council, the State University of New York, and the Woodrow Wilson, Rockefeller, and Earhart Foundations. He is the author of fifteen books and many articles on moral and political thought.

Reviews
John Kekes has, once more, succeeded admirably. * Timothy Chappell, Mind *
Kekes grapples with perennial, intrinsically interesting philosophical questions: the nature of well-being and enjoyment and their connection with individuality; the negotiation of conflicts between moral reasons, reasons based on social identity, and reasons of well-being; the formulation of a politics that strikes the right balance between individual liberty and the common good... [he] articulates a panoramic vision of moral life a vision that will be appealing to many readers. * Jason R. Raibley, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *
[Kekes] is erudite; his views are just, his exposition is clear. * Will Self, First Post *
This is a thoughtful, insightful and personable take on a subject that too often concentrates solely on a dry augmentation.... Very pleasurable to read... Enjoyment is the kind of book that can enhance one's life, as well as bring knowledge to it. * Phil Jenkins, Philosophy in Review. *
six chapters are the heart of the book, and the clearest and fullest vindication of its methodology of reflection on historical or literary biographies. They are written in a clear and distinctively individual style and voice; they have a clear and straightforward narrative drive - there is subtlety here, but no over-complication; above all, they are a pleasure to read. ... John Kekes has, once more, succeeded admirably * Timothy Chappell, Mind *



Book Information
ISBN 9780199546923
Author John Kekes
Format Hardback
Page Count 304
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 599g
Dimensions(mm) 241mm * 164mm * 22mm