ETHICS AND 'THE NATURE OF MORAL PHILOSOPHY'; ED. BY WILLIAM H. SHAW

G. E. Moore's 1912 work Ethics has tended to be overshadowed by his famous earlier work Principia Ethica . However, its detailed discussions of utilitarianism, free will, and the objectivity of moral judgements find no real counterpart in Principia , while its account of right and wrong and of the nature of intrinsic value deepen our understanding of Moore's moral philosophy. Moore himself regarded the book highly, writing late in his career, "I myself like [it] better than Principia Ethica , because it seems to me to be much clearer and far less full of confusions and invalid arguments." Short but philosophically rich, and written with impressive precision and intellectual candor, Ethics is a minor classic which repays careful study. This new edition includes Moore's essay "The Nature of Moral Philosophy" as well as editorial notes, an introduction, and a guide to further reading. G.e. Moore Was A Central Figure In Twentieth-century Philosophy. Along With Russell And Wittgenstein, He Pioneered Analytic Philosophy, And His Principia Ethica Shaped The Contours Of Twentieth-century Ethics. Indeed, Until The Publication Of Rawls's A Theory Of Justice, No Single Book In Moral Philosophy Was To Equal Principia's Influence. Unfortunately, However, Principia Ethica Has So Dominated Critical Discussions Of Moore's Work That Even Experts On His Moral Philosophy Have Tended To Ignore His Ethics, Which He Published Eight Years Later. But Ethics (1912) Is Moore's Only Other Book On Moral Philosophy, And One Of Only A Handful Of Post-principia Publications Dealing With Ethics. Its Detailed Discussions Of Utilitarianism, Free Will, And The Objectivity Of Moral Judgements Find No Real Counterpart In Principia While Its Account Of Right And Wrong And Of The Nature Of Intrinsic Value Deepen Our Understanding Of His Moral Philosophy. The Republication Of Ethics Thus Rounds Out Our Understanding Of Moore's Ethical Thought. But The Book's Value Goes Beyond Its Historical Or Scholarly Interest. A Short But Philosophically Rich Text, Ethics Stands Independent Of Principia And Repays Careful Study In Its Own Right. By Raising A Number Of Fundamental Questions In Ethics, Questions That Remain Live Today, By Proffering Clear, Credible, And Often Innovative Answers To Them, And By Doing So With A Philosophical Skill That Is Still Impressive, Moore's Short Book Is A Minor Classic. Almost A Century After Its Original Publications, It Still Amply Rewards Those Who Read It. This New Edition Of Moore's Ethics Includes His Essay 'the Nature Of Moral Philosophy' As Well As Editorial Notes, An Introduction, And A Guide To Further Reading.--jacket. Utilitarianism -- Utilitarianism (concluded) -- The Objectivity Of Moral Judgements -- The Objectivity Of Moral Judgements (concluded) -- Results The Test Of Right And Wrong -- Free Will -- Intrinsic Value. G.e. Moore ; Edited By William H. Shaw. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [xli]-xliii) And Index. G. E. Moore was a central figure in twentieth-century philosophy. Along with Russell and Wittgenstein, he pioneered analytic philosophy, and his Principia Ethica shaped the contours of twentieth-century ethics. Indeed, until the publication of Rawls's A Theory of Justice, no single book in moral philosophy was to equal Principia's influence. Unfortunately, however, Principia Ethica has so dominated critical discussions of Moore's work that even experts on his moral philosophy have tended to ignore his Ethics, which he published eight years later. But Ethics is Moore's only other book on moral philosophy, and one of only a handful of post-Principia publications dealing with ethics. Its detailed discussions of utilitarianism, free will, and the objectivity of moral judgements find no real counterpart in Principia while its account of right and wrong and of the nature of intrinsic value deepen our understanding of his moral philosophy. The republication of Ethics thus rounds out our understanding of Moore's ethical thought. But the book's value goes beyond its historical or scholarly interest. A short but philosophically rich text, Ethics stands independent of Principia and repays careful study in its own right. By raising a number of fundamental questions in ethics, questions that remain live today, by proffering clear, credible, and often innovative answers to them, and by doing so with a philosophical skill that is still impressive, Moore's short book is a minor classic. Almost a century after its original publication, it still amply rewards those who read it. This new edition of Moore's Ethics includes his essay 'The Nature of Moral Philosophy' as well as editorial notes, an introduction, and a guide to further reading. Short but philosophically rich, and written with impressive precision and intellectual candour, 'Ethics' is a minor classic which repays careful study. This edition includes Moore's essay 'The Nature of Moral Philosophy' as well as editorial notes, an introduction, and a guide to further reading