The Good in the Right : A Theory of Intuition and Intrinsic Value

This book represents the most comprehensive account to date of an important but widely contested approach to ethics--intuitionism, the view that there is a plurality of moral principles, each of which we can know directly. Robert Audi casts intuitionism in a form that provides a major alternative to the more familiar ethical perspectives (utilitarian, Kantian, and Aristotelian). He introduces intuitionism in its historical context and clarifies--and improves and defends--W. D. Ross's influential formulation. Bringing Ross out from under the shadow of G. E. Moore, he puts a reconstructed version of Rossian intuitionism on the map as a full-scale, plausible contemporary theory. A major contribution of the book is its integration of Rossian intuitionism with Kantian ethics; this yields a view with advantages over other intuitionist theories (including Ross's) and over Kantian ethics taken alone. Audi proceeds to anchor Kantian intuitionism in a pluralistic theory of value, leading to an account of the perennially debated relation between the right and the good. Finally, he sets out the standards of conduct the theory affirms and shows how the theory can help guide concrete moral judgment. The Good in the Right is a self-contained original contribution, but readers interested in ethics or its history will find numerous connections with classical and contemporary literature. Written with clarity and concreteness, and with examples for every major point, it provides an ethical theory that is both intellectually cogent and plausible in application to moral problems. This Book Represents The Most Comprehensive Account To Date Of An Important But Widely Contested Approach To Ethics - Intuitionism, The View That There Is A Plurality Of Moral Principles, Each Of Which We Can Know Directly. Robert Audi Casts Intuitionism In A Form That Provides A Major Alternative To The More Familiar Ethical Perspectives (utilitarian, Kantian, And Aristotelian). He Introduces Intuitionism In Its Historical Context And Clarifies - And Improves And Defends - W.d. Ross's Influential Formulation. Bringing Ross Out From Under The Shadow Of G.e. Moore, He Puts A Reconstructed Version Of Rossian Intuitionism On The Map As A Full-scale, Plausible Contemporary Theory. The Good In The Right Is A Self-contained Original Contribution, But Readers Interested In Ethics Or Its History Will Find Numerous Connections With Classical And Contemporary Literature. Written With Clarity And Concreteness, And With Examples For Every Major Point, It Provides An Ethical Theory That Is Both Intellectually Cogent And Plausible In Application To Moral Problems.--jacket. 1. Early Twentieth-century Intuitionism -- Henry Sidgwick: Three Kinds Of Ethical Intuitionism -- G.e. Moore As A Philosophical Intuitionist -- H.a. Prichard And The Reassertion Of Dogmatic Intuitionism -- C.d. Broad And The Concept Of Fittingness -- W.d. Ross And The Theory Of Prima Facie Duty -- Intuitions, Intuitionism, And Reflection -- 2. Rossian Intuitionism As A Contemporary Ethical Theory -- The Rossian Appeal To Self-evidence -- Two Types Of Self-evidence -- Resources And Varieties Of Moderate Intuitionism -- Disagreement, Incommensurability, And The Charge Of Dogmatism -- Intuitive Moral Judgment And Rational Action -- 3. Kantian Intuitionism -- The Possibility Of Systematizing Rossian Principles -- A Kantian Integration Of Intuitionist Principles -- Kantian Intuitionism As A Development Of Kantian Ethics -- Between The Middle Axioms And Moral Decision: The Multiple Grounds Of Obligation -- 4. Rightness And Goodness -- Intrinsic Value And The Grounding Of Reasons For Action -- Intrinsic Value And Prima Facie Duty -- The Autonomy Of Ethics -- Deontological Constraints And Agent-relative Reasons -- The Unity Problem For Intuitionist Ethics -- 5. Intuitionism In Normative Ethics -- Five Methods In Normative Ethical Reflection -- The Need For Middle Theorems -- Some Dimensions Of Beneficence -- Toward A Comprehensive Intuitionist Ethics. Robert Audi. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [203]-237) And Index.

robert Audi's Magisterial the Good In The Right Offers The Most Comprehensive And Developed Account Of Rational Ethical Intuitionism To Date.—roger Crisp, St. Anne's College, University Of Oxford

this Is An Excellent Book. Far Reaching In Import, It Develops A Convincing Alliance Between An Intuitionist Approach To Moral Epistemology And A Kantian Treatment Of Moral Theory.—hugh J. Mccann, Texas A&m University

among Audi's Many Mighty Achievements In This Rewarding Book, Two Are Especially Illuminating To Me: His Brilliant Analysis Of The Separable Elements Of Classical Intuitionism And His Formulation Of A Moderate Vision Of Intuitionism, Which Neatly Avoids The Problems Afflicting Its Distinguished Forebears.—betsy Postow, University Of Tennessee

the Good In The Right Will End Up Being Thought Of As One Of The Most Important Books In Moral Philosophy Published In This Decade. In My View, The Fate Of Kantian Ethics Hangs On The Force Of Audi's Arguments.—brad Hooker, University Of Reading, Author Of ideal Code, Real World

this Is A Remarkable Book—remarkably Ambitious, Remarkably Successful. It Is A Work Of Extraordinary Scope And Depth. Audi Offers An Attractive Account Of Moral Epistemology That Provides Him With The Means To Mine A Variety Of Normative Ethical Theories, Extract What Is Most Promising In Them, And Combine These Elements Into A New Theory That Is Both Coherent And Novel And Is Readily Applicable To A Host Of Problems In Practical Ethics. The Upshot Is A Highly Original And Powerful Theory Of Morality That Is Both Theoretically And Practically Appealing.—michael J. Zimmerman, Author Of the Nature Of Intrinsic Value And the Concept Of Moral Obligation

jessica Prata Miller - Philosophy In Review

this Unique And Fascinating Endeavor Is Required Reading For Anyone Interested In Intuitionism, In Moral Epistemology, Or, Indeed, In Ethical Theory Today.

Represents the comprehensive account of an important contested approach to ethics - intuitionism, the view that there is a plurality of moral principles, each of which we can know directly. This book casts intuitionism in a form that provides a major alternative to the more familiar ethical perspectives (utilitarian, Kantian, and Aristotelian). IF WE UNDERSTAND intuitionism broadly, as the view that at least some basic moral truths are non-inferentially known, and in that very minimal sense known intuitively, the view is very old.