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Product Description
The Moral Philosophers adopts a historical approach to moral philosophy, taking in chronological sequence some of the major ethical philosophers of the past. Richard Norman introduces the thought of each figure as a coherent and comprehensive ethical theory, exploring their richness and complexity. Each theory is critically examined and presented as an attempt to surmount some of the deficiencies of its predecessor; and through this critical process the book moves towards some concluding suggestions about the content of an acceptable ethical theory. This new edition includes four new chapters: one on Nietzsche, and three which provide substantially extended coverage of twentieth-century moral philosophy, including discussions of contemporary utilitarianism, rights-based ethical theories, contractarian ethics and virtue ethics, and recent debates between realism and anti-realism in ethics. The Moral Philosophers is designed for undergraduate students and the general reader, and is written in clear and non-technical language. It is intended for use as a basic text in an introductory course on ethics, with detailed recommended reading sections at the beginning of each chapter.
About the Author
Richard Norman is at University of Kent at Canterbury.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have the advantage of being raught by Professor Richard Norman, so I might be biased (the reader must decided for him/herself). This book has established itself as a set book for a number of courses on Philosophy - and no wonder. Prof. Norman does not describe moral philosophy as such, but explains the thinking of a number of important figures: "The Ancients" described are Plato and Aristotle, and "The Moderns" he lists as Hume, Kant, Mill, Hegel, and Nietzsche. Then Richard Norman discusses briefly some contemporary themes, including Ethics and Marxism, which places these themes into context by relating them to a historical analysis. The book is readable, and wholly accessible: it is also essential reading for the general reader interested in the subject, but also useful for the undergraduate studying Philosophy or Ethics.
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Fantastic. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone studying moral philosophy at whatever level. Norman manages to clarify all the major points of the topic, which are included on most syllabuses and he gives insight into all the relevant philosophers. For me it has been a lifesaver since having read it I can actually follow further what my teacher is talking about! Buy it! You definitely won't regret it!
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2 reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Combination of Good Overview and Analysis
4 Mar 2001
Format:Paperback
This is a very good and surprisingly ambitious introduction to moral philosophy. In this concise book, Norman aims to acquaint readers with the essential features of important moral philosophers, provide a critical evaluation of these ideas, lead readers through the process of critically evaluating ideas, and sketching an outline of what would constitute an acceptable moral theory. The last is an aim that is well beyond the confines of most textbooks and is quite interesting. The book falls into 3 parts; the work of the Ancients - Plato and Aristotle; the now classic moderns - Hume, Kant, Mill, and Hegel (seen largely through the lens of his British disciple Bradley); and 20th century work, mainly the Anglo-American tradition. There is a chapter on Nietsche, which serves as a reminder of other possible perspectives. Norman's explications of the Ancients and 20th century work is particularly good. I find the sections on Hume and Kant less satisfactory. The quality of explanation is not as good as the other chapters. This is the one section of the book where Norman's aims of providing a critique of ideas and outlining the characteristics of an acceptable moral theory tend to overpower the strictly explanatory aim. This is not a major flaw. I think Norman also makes some small but significant errors. In his discussion of Hume's views on property, he ignores the fact that historians suggest that property had a somewhat different meaning in the 18th century, including not just possessions but also aspects of character, reputation, and even rights. I think as well that Norman is incorrect in some of his statements about the important contemporary philosopher John Rawls. Norman wants his readers to be actively engaged in thinking about this issues and his goal of outlining the grounds for an acceptable moral theory is a challenge to readers. This is an unusual but effective teaching method.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
A Challenging Introductory Text for most Undergraduate Level Philosophy Readers
7 Sep 2005
Format:Paperback
Richard Norman is an interesting moral philosopher in his own right. His work on just war theory in this nuclear age is of note. This book, which purports to be an introductory ethics primer, is written at a rather sophisticated level - really, at one step beyond some of the more popular introductory texts - However, the thicker prose does not obviate its value.
The book focuses on the major moral theorists (which is where, I believe, the focus ought to be in an introductory course) and gives a brief - but reasonably sufficient history of the development of moral theory. While Norman does not ignore metaethical (moral epistemic and psychological) issues, he does not delve too deeply, and he barely touches on specific applications of theory (applied ethics).
I personally, much prefer his work on the Moderns and compared with the Ancients. The chapters on Hume and Mill, where the development of utilitarianism is discussed are first rate. Also, an unsual bonus, and rather prescient on the writer's part, is the inclusion of a full chapter discussing Hegel's moral theory, rarely found in such general history of ethics approaches. Norman presents a cogent and important argument for such an inclusion. The last two chapters on contemporary ethics provide a solid and useful, if clipped and, at points, somewhat superficial, quick overview of issues in moral theory in the twentieth century.
When all is said and done, one can find better introductions to the moral theories of the Greeks and Kant, but the readings on the Utilitarians, Utilitarianism, and their contemporary crtics, make the book more than worth reading, and a useful classroom text for more advanced students.
The book focuses on the major moral theorists (which is where, I believe, the focus ought to be in an introductory course) and gives a brief - but reasonably sufficient history of the development of moral theory. While Norman does not ignore metaethical (moral epistemic and psychological) issues, he does not delve too deeply, and he barely touches on specific applications of theory (applied ethics).
I personally, much prefer his work on the Moderns and compared with the Ancients. The chapters on Hume and Mill, where the development of utilitarianism is discussed are first rate. Also, an unsual bonus, and rather prescient on the writer's part, is the inclusion of a full chapter discussing Hegel's moral theory, rarely found in such general history of ethics approaches. Norman presents a cogent and important argument for such an inclusion. The last two chapters on contemporary ethics provide a solid and useful, if clipped and, at points, somewhat superficial, quick overview of issues in moral theory in the twentieth century.
When all is said and done, one can find better introductions to the moral theories of the Greeks and Kant, but the readings on the Utilitarians, Utilitarianism, and their contemporary crtics, make the book more than worth reading, and a useful classroom text for more advanced students.
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