Customer Reviews

Lectures on the History of Moral Philosophy

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One can see why John Rawls rejuvenated interest in moral philosophy -- this book is not only a beautifully written, but also a well organized collection of lectures on moral philosophy. Yes, all the big names are here -- Kant, Hegel, Leibnitz & Hume -- entire sections devoted to each. Utilitarianism, constructivism, intuitionism and perfectionism are all studied carefully as the various moral philosophies produced by these thinkers.

A warning, though: don't leap into this book as a "Moral Philosophy for Dummies" kind of guide. Although you don't have to be a guru, you need to have already read a bit on the subject in order to savour the delights of this book. I myself am taking my first (very wobbly) steps into a field which attempts, as the cover of the book says, to "define the role of a moral conception in human life."

The book is derived from the undergraduate lecture courses Rawls gave at Harvard from the late sixties until the end of his career. Very few in our society have more insight into this complex and challenging period. The book begins with an exigesis of Hume's moral philosophy - its sources and its meaning. The bulk of the book is then, as one would expect, devoted to Kant. The book closes with a study of Hegel. Along the way, all the major schools of moral thought in Europe, especially England, during the era are discussed.
Although I cannot agree with the previous reviewer that Rawls writes`"beautifully" (in fact, I would respectfully suggest that Rawls' literary shortcomings significantly limited the readership of A Theory of Justice, though I would not know how else it could have been written), he thinks magnificently. Rawls was, above all, a profound student of those he calls "the exemplars" of moral theory, and specifically of this period, which is perhaps why he is simply the BEST teacher of this material. His insights into Hume, Leibniz, Kant, and Hegel will forever change your way of reading these giants. Rawls displays bona-fide, hard-earned insight.
Because Rawls thinks and writes in a way the encompasses a plurality of levels of explanation and speculation, the study is as enriching for the professional as for the student with modicum of basic knowledge. If you read one book on this subject, read this one. Also, Rawls is very good about documenting his sources, which really helps if you desire to go further.

The book is excellent if one wants to learn more about moral philosophy and its history. It arrived in good time and in excellent condition.