John Mackie's stimulating book is a complete and clear treatise on moral theory. His writings on normative ethics—the moral principles he recommends—offer a fresh approach on a much neglected subject, and the work as a whole is undoubtedly a major contribution to modern philosophy. The author deals first with the status of ethics, arguing that there are not objective values, that morality cannot be discovered but must be made. He examines next the content of ethics, seeing morality as a functional device, basically the same at all times but changing significantly in response to changes in the human condition. He sketches a practical moral system, criticizing but also borrowing from both utilitarian and absolutist views. Thirdly, the frontiers of ethics, areas of contact with psychology, metaphysics, theology, law and politcs, are explored.
Throughout, his aim is to discuss a wide range of questions that are both philosophical and practical, working within a distinctive version of subjectivism—an "error" theory of the apparent objectivity of values. John Mackie has drawn on the contributions of such classic thinkers as Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Hume, Kant and Sidgwick, and on more recent discussions, to produce a thought-provoking account that will inspire both the general reader and the student of philosophy.
Ethics - J. L. Mackie Preface
Part One: The Status of Ethics
1. The Subjectivity of Values
1. Moral scepticism
2. Subjectivism
3. The multiplicity of second order questions
4. Is objectivity a real issue?
5. Standards of evaluation
6. Hypothetical and categorical imperatives
7. The claim to objectivity
8. The argument from relativity
9. The argument from queerness
10. Patterns of objectification
11. The general goal of human life
12. Conclusion
2. The Meaning of "Good"
1. The general meaning of "good"
2. "Good" in moral contexts
3. Obligations and Reasons
1. "Is" and "ought"
2. The meaning of "ought"
3. Varieties of reason
4. Institutions
4. Universalization
1. The first stage of universalization: the irrelevance of numerical differences
2. The second stage of universalization: putting oneself in the other person's place
3. The third stage of universalization: taking account of different tastes and rival ideals
4. Subjective elements in universalization
Part Two: The Content of Ethics
5. The Object of Morality
1. Consequences of moral scepticism
2. A device for counteracting limited sympathies
3. The form of the device
4. Game theory analysis
5. The content of the device: conservatism or reform?
6. Utilitarianism
1. Act utilitarianism
2. The ethics of fantasy
3. Morality in the narrow sense
4. Rule utilitarianism
5. The "proof" of utility
6. Utility as desire-satisfaction
7. The malleability of morality
7. Consequentialism and Deontology
1. Conceptions of the good
2. The rationale of universalization
3. The need for secondary principles
4. Special relationships and the form of moral principles
5. Ends and means
6. Absolutism and the principle of double effect
8. Elements of a practical morality
1. The good for man
2. Egoism, rights, and property
3. Liberty
4. Truth-telling, lies, and agreements
5. How princes should keep faith
6. Virtue
7. The motive for morality
8. Extensions of morality
9. The right to life
10. Conclusion
Part Three: Frontiers of ethics
9. Determinism, Responsibility, and Choice
1. Voluntary or intentional actions
2. The straight rule of responsibility
3. Causal determinism and human action
4. Hard and soft determinism
10. Religion, Law, and Politics
1. The theological frontier of ethics
2. Contacts and overlaps between morality and law
3. Political applications and extensions of morality
Notes and References
Index