Right and Reason [Paperback]

Austin Fagothey (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0895556685 | ISBN-13: 978-0895556684 | Publication Date: February 15, 2000 | Edition: 2

RIGHT AND REASON by Fr. Austin Fagothey, S.J. is one of the greatest and most successful Ethics books written to date. Though originally published in 1959 it remains remarkably contemporary and is easily accessible for most adults. Phrased in non-technical language, RIGHT AND REASON is a thoroughly competent book in the philosophy of Ethics from the Aristotelian-Thomistic school of thought. The Classic principles of Ethics as laid out here are as valid today as ever, and anyone who attempts to grapple with our new moral questions, i.e. medical ethics, family issues, international relations, etc. - without solid grounding, is sure to flounder in guesswork, emotional thinking and mere personal opinion. This book stands as a beacon of common sense in today's confused world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 628 pages
• Publisher: TAN Books and Publishers, Inc.; 2 edition (February 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0895556685
• ISBN-13: 978-0895556684
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #286,218 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review from the Publisher, March 29, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Right and Reason (Paperback)

Right and Reason is probably the greatest and most successful Ethics book written to date. Widely used in Catholic colleges, it is undoubtedly the clearest and easiest-to-read Ethics text ever published. The author says that no book can take the place of a professor in the classroom, but this one virtually does-and Fr. Fagothey says he wrote it that way. Though issued in 1959, it remains remarkably contemporary and can be read basically by any adult-either in toto or as a handy reference to look up topics in question. Phrased in non-technical language, Right and Reason is a thoroughly competent book in the philosophy of Ethics, which gives the science of morality from the Aristotelian-Thomistic, common-sense school of thought-which is none other than the Perennial Philosophy of the Ages, the philosophy outside of which one's positions quickly become absurd and all reasoning ends up in dead-ends.

He covers the whole field of Ethics, posing and answering the perennial questions; for example: What makes the right right and the wrong wrong? What is moral obligation and where does it come from? Why is divorce always wrong? Why is abortion always wrong? When is it moral to kill another person? Do animals have rights? What is the origin of the State? Who has the right to educate? Is capital punishment ethical? Is there a right to work? What is a just wage? What is a just war? What is the principle of double effect? Are suicide and euthanasia against the Natural Law? Is there a Natural Law? etc.

The classic principles of Ethics are as valid today as ever, and anyone who attempts to grapple with today's new moral questions-in medical ethics, family issues, international relations, etc.-without a solid grounding in these classic principles is guaranteed to flounder around in the swamp of guesswork, emotional thinking and mere personal opinion. Every educated Catholic and every educated person-if he is to think correctly on moral issues-must be familiar with the great ethical questions and their classic solutions, solutions such as presented in Fr. Fagothey's clear and masterful work, Right and Reason, which for today's confused world is a beacon of common sense written with an authoritative competence that no one can effectively argue against.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Intro To Ethics, February 4, 2006

By 

Scott M. Sullivan (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Right and Reason (Paperback)

I have adopted this as my ethics text for my university classes. It is the clearest presentation of moral realism I can find and effectively presents a Thomistic ethics against versions of hedonism, stoicism, and other systems. The system here begins with fundamental questions on the good, happiness, man's last end, etc. and proceeds to applied ethics. Primary sources are strategically quoted but not overdone to the point of burdening the undergraduate.

One drawback however is that students find the many scholastic distinctions, important as they are, to be difficult. Hence if this is intended to be a classroom text, the teacher ought to be prepared to give slow patient explanations.


I highly recommend this work.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT ETHICS BOOK ., July 6, 2004

By 

A. Romero "NAVY78" (Stamford, CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Right and Reason (Paperback)

I was highly into reading this book once I got my hands on it.
WOW. What an experience. The book answered most fundamental
reasons and questions most people do have.......especially with the elections always at hand. This book can go bit by bit over
what is right and wrong and within the context use reasoning.
Combining St. Thomas Aquinas and Aristotle teachings anyone can go far with this book. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND IN PURCHASING THIS GREAT BOOK.