Practical Shape: A Theory of Practical Reasoning - Softcover

Dancy, Jonathan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0198865821 ISBN 13: 9780198865827

Publisher: OUP Oxford, 2020

Synopsis

Everyone allows that we can reason to a new belief from beliefs that we already have. Aristotle thought that we could also reason from beliefs to action. Practical Shape: A Theory of Practical Reasoning establishes this possibility of reasoning to action, in a way that allows also for reasoning to intention, hope, fear, and doubt. While many philosophers have found little sense in Aristotle's claim, Dancy offers a general theory of reasoning that is sensitive to current debates but still Aristotelian in spirit. The text clearly sets out the similarities between reasoning to action and reasoning to belief, which are far more striking than any dissimilarities. Its detailed account of practical reasoning, a topic inadequately covered in current literature, is presented in such a way as to be intelligible to a variety of readers, making it an ideal resource for students of philosophy but also of interest to academics in related disciplines.

About this title

About the Author

Jonathan Dancy has worked at the University of Texas at Austin since 2005. He previously taught at the University of Keele for 25 years and then at the University of Reading before retiring in the UK in 2011. His books include Practical Reality (2000) and Ethics Without Principles (2004).

Edition details

• Publisher: OUP Oxford
• Publication date: 2020
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0198865821
• ISBN 13: 9780198865827
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224