God and Morality - by John E Hare (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

God and Morality evaluates the ethical theories of four principle philosophers, Aristotle, Duns Scotus, Kant, and R.M. Hare.

• Uses their thinking as the basis for telling the story of the history and development of ethical thought more broadly
• Focuses specifically on their writings on virtue, will, duty, and consequence
• Concentrates on the theistic beliefs to highlight continuity of philosophical thought

From the Back Cover

God and Morality evaluates the ethics of four principal philosophers - Aristotle, Duns Scotus, Kant, and R. M. Hare - placing an emphasis on the often circumvented relationship between their ethical theories and theism. While focusing on central concepts such as virtue, will, duty, and consequences, the author never loses sight of the larger context in which these views appear, presenting the work of these philosophers as keys to understanding the historical advancement of ethical thought during four great periods in Western philosophical history. This book defies traditional modes of comparison between these important philosophers by paying close attention not only to differences in their thought, but to significant and sometimes surprising similarities, taking seriously the role of God in their moral theories.

Review Quotes

"This book is important. It offers a profound contribution rather than the last word on theism and ethics" Ethical Perspectives

"This is a splendid history of philosophical ethics, with special interest in God's presence and importance in that perennial enterprise, by one of the leading philosophers of ethics writing today. Hare tops off this surprising, exciting, and unorthodox history with an account of his own that collects together the best features of the theistic ethics of the past. God and Morality is written with crystal clarity and impressive scholarship." Robert Roberts, Baylor University

About the Author

John E. Hare is Noah Porter Professor of Philosophical Theology at Yale University. His books include The Moral Gap (1996), God's Call (2001), and Why Bother Being Good? (2002). He has also written on Greek philosophy, international relations, Kant, evolutionary ethics, and biomedical ethics.