Nature, Reason, and the Good Life: Ethics For Human Beings

Teichmann, Roger

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0198708971 ISBN 13: 9780198708971

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2014

At the centre of our ethical thought stands the human being. Facts about human nature determine the shape of ethical concepts in a variety of ways, and our pre-rational animal nature forms the basis of notions to do with rationality, virtue, and happiness, among other things. Nature, Reason, and the Good Life examines these themes while also arguing for the critical importance of language: only by attending to the social and empirical character of actual language use can we make headway with a number of problems in ethics. Thus what counts as a good or bad reason for action depends on the purposes of human enquiry, as embodied in the question 'Why?'―it does not depend, for example, on some abstract and higher Rationality connected with 'the point of the cosmos'. Furthermore, considerations in philosophy of language and in philosophy of mind together show how emotions, desires, and pleasure―all crucial for ethics―turn out not to be inner states carrying a sort of subjective authority, above or below criticism or justification, and this fact helps undermine various forms of subjectivism and individualism to be found both in philosophy and in the wider culture. Starting from an examination of foundational issues, the book covers a range of topics, including animals, agency, enjoyment, the good life, contemplation, death, and the importance of philosophy. En route, there are critiques of a number of prevalent trends of thought, such as utilitarianism, anti-speciesism, relativism, scientism and even 'ism'-ism.

Review:

This is a rich, interesting, and engaging work. It is well-written, forthright, helpfully signposted, always letting readers know what the argument is and what the reasons are for it. (John Kekes, Mind)

This is a fascinating book full of fruitful ideas from someone with diverse academic interests. (P. Jenkins, CHOICE)

Nature, Reason, and the Good Life provides a clear, well argued and concise account of virtue ethics that deserves a place on most of our bookshelves. It is a welcome addition to the literature on virtue ethics and is highly recommended. (Ruth Groenhout, Analysis)

About the Author:

Roger Teichmann has written on a wide range of philosophical topics, from the philosophy of time to ethics. His work on the philosophy of Elizabeth Anscombe is noteworthy: he is the author of a number of articles, a Festschrift, Logic, Cause and Action (2000), and the monograph, The Philosophy of Elizabeth Anscombe (OUP, 2008).