The Conception of Value - Hardcover

Grice, Paul

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0198244959 ISBN 13: 9780198244950

Publisher: Clarendon Press, 1991

Synopsis

The works of Paul Grice collected in this volume present his metaphysical defence of value, and represent a modern attempt to provide a metaphysical foundation for value. Value judgements are viewed as objective; value is part of the world that we live in, nonetheless it is constructed by us. We inherit or seem to inherit, the Aristotlelian world in which objects and creatures are characterized in terms of finality features, namely, what they are supposed to do. We are thereby enabled to evaluate by reference to function and finality. This is not surprising. The most striking part of Grice's position, however, is his contention that the legitimacy of such evaluations rests ultimately on an argument for absolute value. The collection includes Grice's three previously unpublished Carus Lectures on the Conception of Value, delivered in 1983. The work is aimed at scholars interested in metaphysics, epistemology, and the philosophy of psychology, and of mind.

About this title

Review

Although difficult, these lectures sparkle with wit. Grice's love of subtlety comes across as an infectious intellectual exuberance. They are challenging and delightful at the same time. Happy the writer who can leave readers grateful to have shared such pleasure in his ideas. (Simon Blackburn, Times Literary Supplement)

a welcome addition to current debates about the objectivity of value. (Philosophical Review)

About the Author

Paul Grice (1913-1988) was Fellow of St John's College, Oxford, and, until his retirement in 1980, Professor of Philosophy at the University of California, Berkeley.

Edition details

• Publisher: Clarendon Press
• Publication date: 1991
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0198244959
• ISBN 13: 9780198244950
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 171