The Ideal of a Rational Morality Philosophical Compositions [Paperback]

The Ideal of a Rational Moralitycollects the most important essays by the distinguished moral philosopher Marcus G. Singer. Its guiding theme is the concept of a morality based in reason, which is presupposed in ordinary moral contexts and provides an ideal for improving ordinary morality and correcting moral judgements. Singer makes compelling claims that certain fundamental presuppositions are inescapable in moral thought, that fundamental moral principles can be proved, and that the concepts of truth and 'common sense' are essential to ethics.

Preface
I. The Ideal of a Rational Morality
II. On Truth in Ethics
III. Moral Theory and Justification
IV. The Methods of Justice
V. Ethics and Common Sense
VI. Value Judgments and Normative Claims
VII. Moral Worth and Fundamental Rights
VIII. On Race and Racism
IX. Judicial Decisions and Judicial Opinions
X. Institutional Ethics
XI. Moral Issues and Social Problems
XII. The Golden Rule
XIII. Mill on Happiness and Utility
Additional Notes, References, and Supplementary Essays
Index

The essays exhibit a commendable erudition, especially in the history of ethical theory. From cover to cover its tone is urbane, and the book suggests wide reading, sometimes in unexpected places, by its author. I am pleased that Marcus Singer has brought these essays together and invited us to revisit them, as he has himself. It is an added pleasure that his invitation is tendered by way of this handsome and well-produced book. --Ethics

It is well worth having a concentrated diet of Singer before us. Professor Singer is fond of Iris Murdoch's adage that doing philosophy 'is to explore one's own temperament, and yet at the same time attempt to discover the truth'. In this case both the temperament and the truths discovered will be found rewarding...the philosophy is replete with literary and other allusions, but is also rigorous. And this means that the judgments it lC