Morality and Moral Theory: A Reappraisal and Reaffirmation

Contemporary philosophers have grown increasingly skeptical toward both morality and moral theory. Some argue that moral theory is a radically misguided enterprise that does not illuminate moral practice, while others simply deny the value of morality in human life. In this important new book, Louden responds to the arguments of both "anti-morality" and "anti-theory" skeptics. In Part One, he develops and defends an alternative conception of morality, which, he argues, captures more of the central features of both Aristotelian and Kantian ethics than do other contemporary models, and enables the central importance of morality to be convincingly reaffirmed. In Louden's model, morality is primarily a matter of what one does to oneself, rather than what one does or does not do to others. This model eliminates the gulf that many anti-morality critics say exists between morality's demands and the personal point of view. Louden further argues that morality's primary focus should be on agents and their lives, rather than on right actions, and that it is always better to be morally better--i.e. it is impossible to be "too moral." Part Two presents Louden's alternative conception of moral theory. Here again he draws on the work of Aristotle and Kant, showing that their moral theories have far more in common than is usually thought, and that those features that they share can be the basis for a viable moral theory that is immune to the standard anti-theory objections. Louden reaffirms the necessity and importance of moral theory in human life, and shows that moral theories fulfill a variety of genuine and indispensable human needs.

Review :
"Wide-ranging and exceptionally lucid....Louden makes an especially impressive case for the uses of moral theory, while performing an even more impressive demolition of several standard antitheoretical arguments. His challenge to current antitheoretic orthodoxies is both powerful and timely, and deserves a wide audience among moral philosophers."--Choice "Provides a useful counterpoint to recent work in antitheory. There is a particularly good section, for example, on why literature and theory may complement each other in helping to enlarge the moral imagination."--Religious Studies Review "His view that morality is self-regarding is of considerable interest. Louden offers much explanatory insight into moral practice, rather than a perspicuous redescription of it."--Philosophy "Louden's argument is detailed and focused."--Teaching Philosophy "Louden's scholarship is impressive, his style engaging, and he makes interesting contributions to a number of topics of current concern. His arguments are supported by a scholarly comparison of the moral philosophies of Aristotle and Kant, which laudably emphasizes their deep affinities."--The Times Literary Supplement "Wide-ranging and exceptionally lucid....Louden makes an especially impressive case for the uses of moral theory, while performing an even more impressive demolition of several standard antitheoretical arguments. His challenge to current antitheoretic orthodoxies is both powerful and timely, and deserves a wide audience among moral philosophers."--Choice "Provides a useful counterpoint to recent work in antitheory. There is a particularly good section, for example, on why literature and theory may complement each other in helping to enlarge the moral imagination."--Religious Studies Review "His view that morality is self-regarding is of considerable interest. Louden offers much explanatory insight into moral practice, rather than a perspicuous redescription of it."--Philosophy "Louden's argument is detailed and focused."--Teaching Philosophy "Louden's scholarship is impressive, his style engaging, and he makes interesting contributions to a number of topics of current concern. His arguments are supported by a scholarly comparison of the moral philosophies of Aristotle and Kant, which laudably emphasizes their deep affinities."--The Times Literary Supplement "[A] well-argued book..."--The Philosophical Review