Ethics Without Principles (Paperback)

Jonathan Dancy

ISBN 10: 0199297681 / ISBN 13: 9780199297689

Published by Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2006

About this Item

Paperback. Jonathan Dancy presents a long-awaited exposition and defence of particularism in ethics, a view with which he has been associated for twenty years. He argues that the traditional link between morality and principles, or between being moral and having principles, is little more than a mistake. The possibility of moral thought and judgement does not in any way depend on an adequate supply of principles. Dancy grounds this claim on a form of reasons-holism, holdingthat what is a reason in one case need not be any reason in another, and maintaining that moral reasons are no different in this respect from others. He puts forward a distinctive form of value-holism togo with the holism of reasons, and he gives a detailed discussion, much needed, of the currently popular topic of 'contributory' reasons. Opposing positions of all sorts are summarized and criticized. Ethics Without Principles is the definitive statement of particularist ethical theory, and will be required reading for all those working on moral philosophy and ethical theory. Presents an exposition and defence of particularism in ethics. The author's controversial claim, argued, is that the traditional link between morality and principles, or between being moral and having principles, is little more than a mistake. This is a presentation of particularist ethical theory, and is useful for moral philosophers. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780199297689

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Ethics Without Principles (Paperback)
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, Oxford
• Publication Date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0199297681
• ISBN 13: 9780199297689
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

Jonathan Dancy presents a long-awaited exposition and defense of particularism in ethics, a theory which he, perhaps more than anyone else, has developed and championed in recent years. Dancy's controversial claim, powerfully argued, is that the traditional link between morality and principles, or between being moral and having principles, is little more than a mistake. Ethics without Principles is the definitive presentation of particularist ethical theory, and will be required reading for all moral philosophers.

About the Author

Jonathan Dancy is at University of Reading and University of Texas at Austin.