Moral Notions

Kovesi, Julius

ISBN 10: 0710029845 / ISBN 13: 9780710029843

Published by Routledge & Kegan Paul, London, 1971

About this Item

1971. Reprint. vii, 166pp. Julius Kovesi (1930-1989) was an Australian moral philosopher, probably best known as the author of 'Moral Notions'. Morality is often thought of as non-rational or sub-rational, and in this book he argues that the rationality of morality is built into the way we construct moral concepts. In showing this he also resolves the old Humean conundrum of the relation between 'facts' and 'values'. And he puts forward a method of reasoning that might make 'applied ethics' into a constructive discipline. The book is bound in the original red boards with black titling on the spine. The case of the book is in excellent condition and the contents are tight and clean. There is a name, place and date written in red ink and a brief inscription in black ink on the front free endpaper. The clipped dustwrapper has shelf wear with some soiling and the spine is slightly faded. The bottom of the spine is lightly bumped.

Seller Inventory # gPhilKovesi01

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Moral Notions
• Publisher: Routledge & Kegan Paul, London
• Publication Date: 1971
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0710029845
• ISBN 13: 9780710029843
• Binding: Hardback
• Edition: Reprint
• Condition: Very Good Plus
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Philosophy & Related

About this title

Synopsis

Morality is often thought of as non-rational or sub-rational. In Moral Notions, first published in 1967, Julius Kovesi argues that the rationality of morality is built into the way we construct moral concepts. In showing this he also resolves the old Humean conundrum of the relation between 'facts' and 'values'. And he puts forward a method of reasoning that might make 'applied ethics' (at present largely a hodge-podge of opinions) into a constructive discipline. Kovesi's general theory of concepts - important in its own right - is indebted to his interpretation of Plato, and his three papers on Plato, first published here, explain this debt. This new edition of Moral Notions also includes a foreward by Philippa Foot, a biography of the author, and a substantial afterword in which the editors, Robert Ewin and Alan Tapper, explain the signficance of Kovesi's work.

From the Inside Flap

"Moral Notions is a minor classic of moral philosophy that has not yet received its due." – Alasdair MacIntyre

"This is a thoroughly disturbing book, and should lead to some agonising reappraisals. Moral philosophy courses are due for a new look; Kovesi’s challenge is timely, and there is material here for several dozen prolific seminars." – Bernard Mayo, Mind, 1969

"Moral Notions is an original and thought-provoking book which I read again with real pleasure." – Philippa Foot