Synopses & Reviews
For more than thirty years, philosopher Bernard Gert has been developing and refining his distinctive and comprehensive moral theory. His classic work,
The Moral Rules: A New Rational Foundation for Morality, was first published in 1970. In 1988, Oxford published a fourth revision titled
Morality: A New Justification of the Moral Rules. In this final revision, Gert has produced the fullest and most sophisticated account of this influential theoretical model. Here, he makes clear that morality is an informal system that does not provide unique answers to every moral question but does always limit the range of morally acceptable options, and so explains why some moral disagreements cannot be resolved. The importance placed on the moral ideals also makes clear that the moral rules are only one part of the moral system. A chapter that is devoted to justifying violations of the rules illustrates how the moral rules are embedded in the system and cannot be adequately understood independently of it. The chapter on reasons includes a new account of what makes one reason better than another and elucidates the complex hybrid nature of rationality.
Although Gert's moral theory is sophisticated, it is presented with a clarity that enables it to serve as an excellent introduction for beginning philosophy students, as well as fruitful reading for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses. Unlike most moral theories, his account of morality is developed in sufficient detail to be useful to those interested in problems of applied ethics. This book will appeal to those engaged in business ethics, engineering ethics, environmental ethics, and especially medical ethics. In the manner of the works of Thomas Hobbes and John Stuart Mill, this book addresses the general philosophical reader and at the same time makes an important contribution to the philosophical literature.
Review
"This book provides distinctive and powerful accounts of rationality and impartiality and develops a plausible and original moral theory on the basis of them. Packed with insightful arguments, an excellent model of the integration of normative ethics and metaethics, and written with a clear and direct style, the book is both first-rate teaching material and an indispensable resource for professionals." --Robert Audi, University of Nebraska
"It is of interest because persistence in refining a moral theory is rare and because it continues to fill a niche not occupied by other prominent theories. Highly recommended for all collections in moral theory."--Choice
"There is much to admire and agree with in Bernard Gert's book Morality: Its Nature and Justification. Few philosophers have even attempted to provide the systematic account of the content of morality, what Gert calls the moral system, together with its justification that this book contains."--Dan W. Brock, Brown University
"...Gert's rich, probing, and brilliantly illuminating treatment of an 'evergreen' in moral theory, the question, 'Why be moral?'"--Kurt Baier, Professor Emeritus, University of Pittsburgh
"Gert's Morality is a remarkably original, lucid, ambitious, and wide-ranging book. No short essay can do justice to it."--Thomas L. Carson, Loyola University Chicago
"Bernard Gert's account of the nature of morality may very well be the best and most significant contribution to general, substantive, theoretical ethics produced in the twentieth century."--Edward J. Bond, emeritus, Queens University, Ontario
Review
"This book provides distinctive and powerful accounts of rationality and impartiality and develops a plausible and original moral theory on the basis of them. Packed with insightful arguments, an excellent model of the integration of normative ethics and metaethics, and written with a clear and direct style, the book is both first-rate teaching material and an indispensable resource for professionals." --Robert Audi, University of Nebraska
"It is of interest because persistence in refining a moral theory is rare and because it continues to fill a niche not occupied by other prominent theories. Highly recommended for all collections in moral theory."--Choice
"There is much to admire and agree with in Bernard Gert's book Morality: Its Nature and Justification. Few philosophers have even attempted to provide the systematic account of the content of morality, what Gert calls the moral system, together with its justification that this book contains."--Dan W. Brock, Brown University
"...Gert's rich, probing, and brilliantly illuminating treatment of an 'evergreen' in moral theory, the question, 'Why be moral?'"--Kurt Baier, Professor Emeritus, University of Pittsburgh
"Gert's Morality is a remarkably original, lucid, ambitious, and wide-ranging book. No short essay can do justice to it."--Thomas L. Carson, Loyola University Chicago
"Bernard Gert's account of the nature of morality may very well be the best and most significant contribution to general, substantive, theoretical ethics produced in the twentieth century."--Edward J. Bond, emeritus, Queens University, Ontario
Synopsis
For more than thirty years, philosopher Bernard Gert has been developing and refining his distinctive and comprehensive moral theory. His classic work, The Moral Rules: A New Rational Foundation for Morality, was first published in 1970. In 1988, Oxford published a fourth revision titled
Morality: A New Justification of the Moral Rules. In this final revision, Gert has produced the fullest and most sophisticated account of this influential theoretical model. Here, he makes clear that morality is an informal system that does not provide unique answers to every moral question but does
always limit the range of morally acceptable options, and so explains why some moral disagreements cannot be resolved. The importance placed on the moral ideals also makes clear that the moral rules are only one part of the moral system. A chapter that is devoted to justifying violations of the
rules illustrates how the moral rules are embedded in the system and cannot be adequately understood independently of it. The chapter on reasons includes a new account of what makes one reason better than another and elucidates the complex hybrid nature of rationality.
Although Gert's moral theory is sophisticated, it is presented with a clarity that enables it to serve as an excellent introduction for beginning philosophy students, as well as fruitful reading for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses. Unlike most moral theories, his account of morality is
developed in sufficient detail to be useful to those interested in problems of applied ethics. This book will appeal to those engaged in business ethics, engineering ethics, environmental ethics, and especially medical ethics. In the manner of the works of Thomas Hobbes and John Stuart Mill, this
book addresses the general philosophical reader and at the same time makes an important contribution to the philosophical literature.
Synopsis
This volume is a revised, enlarged, and broadened version of Gert's classic 1970 book, The Moral Rules. Advocating an approach he terms "morality as impartial rationality," Gert here presents a full discussion of his moral theory, adding a wealth of new illuminating detail to his analysis of the concepts--rationality/irrationality, good/evil, and impartiality--by which he defines morality. He constructs a "moral system" that includes rules prohibiting the kinds of actions that cause evil, procedures for determining when violation of the rules is permitted, and ideals which encourage actions that prevent or relieve suffering. To be valid, Gert argues, any such system must be "a public system that applies to all rational persons." The book concludes with a discussion of medical ethics, demonstrating the link between moral theory and its application to real moral problems.