In Reasons and the Good Roger Crisp answers some of the oldest questions in moral philosophy. Claiming that a fundamental issue in normative ethics is what ultimate reasons for action we might have, he argues that the best statements of such reasons will not employ moral concepts. He investigates and explains the nature of reasons themselves; his account of how we come to know them combines an intuitionist epistemology with elements of Pyrrhonist scepticism. He defends a hedonistic theory of well-being and an account of practical reason according to which we can give some, though not overriding, priority to our own good over that of others. The book develops original lines of argument within a framework of some traditional but currently less popular views.
Reviews
ambitious, well-written, and successfully delivers on interesting and novel approaches to persistent problems relating to the nature of well-being, reasons, and equality. ... a lovely book. * Julia Driver, Journal of Utilitas *
Roger Crisp belong in the company of Derek Parfit and Peter Sinder as one of the distinguished contemporary philosophical defenders of the legacy of Henry Sidgwick...This is an excellent work - clear, concise, and compelling. And it packs a powerful philosophical punch. * Bart Schultz, Ethics *
Because the book covers such a range of issues in such a short and well integrated way, reading it will be illuminating for many...I can see ample reason for a moral philosopher to read this book: for its stimulation and sweep, and to wake one from one's dogmatic slumbers. Nod off for a second here, and you will miss crucial arguments entirely. * Henry S. Richardson, Mind *
Crisp advances substantial theses about reasons, welfare, pleasure, moral knowledge, intuition, moral disagreement, personal identity, impartiality, population axiology, and more...this bold and sweeping work contains quite a number of provocative discussions of interest to theoretical ethicists of many stripes. * Chris Heathwood, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *
The book is sparklingly clear and contains abundant insights and interesting arguments...a rich and rewarding book which will contribute greatly to a number of debates throughout moral philosophy. * Guy Fletcher, Ratio *
In little more than one hundred and fifty pages of lively prose Reason and the Good covers half a dozen fundamental issues in normative theory, any one of which could easily fill a book on its own...a useful panoramic view of one intuitionist approach to normative theory, one that should be valuable to non-specialists, graduate students, and even advanced undergraduates. * Sean McKeever, Review of Metaphysics *



Book Information
ISBN 9780199290338
Author Roger Crisp
Format Hardback
Page Count 190
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 238g
Dimensions(mm) 222mm * 144mm * 15mm