G. E. Moore's Ethical Theory: Resistance and Reconciliation (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "The revolution G. E. Moore wishes to effect in Principia Ethica begins with his famous claim that the property good is simple, indefinable, and non-natural..." (more)
Key Phrases: cosmic conservatism, ultimate rational end, great intrinsic goods, The Nature of Judgment, The Value of Religion, Some Main Problems (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Hutchinson writes with grace and flair. His judgments of Moore are penetrating and thoughtful, neither adulatory nor inimical. The book is an important contribution to the current literature in ethics. It would be an excellent "companion" for readers of Moore. One hopes that the publisher plans a paperbound edition." International Studies in Philosophy

"This book is one of the best on the history of ethics -- and arguably, on ethical theory more generally--to appear in many years. Readers should consider whether either of these two statements is even an understatement." Review of Metaphysics

Product Description

This is the first comprehensive study of the ethics of G. E. Moore, the most important English-speaking ethicist of the 20th century. Moore's ethical project, set out in his seminal text the Principia Ethica is to preserve common moral insight from skepticism and, in effect, persuade his readers to accept the objective character of goodness. Brian Hutchinson explores Moore's arguments in detail, showing Moore's ethical work to be much richer and more sophisticated than his critics have acknowledged.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 228 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 1 edition (July 2, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521800552
• ISBN-13: 978-0521800556
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,713,482 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An important contribution to the current literature in ethic, January 13, 2002

By	Panayot Butchvarov (Iowa City, IA United States) - See all my reviews

Hutchinson writes with grace and flair. His judgments of Moore are penetrating and wise, neither adulatory nor inimical. Unlike most writers on Moore, Hutchinson is at home also with Moore's epistemological and metaphysical works. He correctly ties Moore's realism ("objectivism") in ethics to his defense of common sense in epistemology. Moore's "innocence" (Keynes's word) regarding the existence and knowability of values is nicely compared with his much discussed, with derision or admiration, "innocence" regarding the existence and knowability of material objects. Moore thought that both are obvious, and that only intellectual confusion leads to thinking they are not. Hutchinson's book is an important contribution to the current literature in ethics. It would be an excellent "companion" for readers of Moore.