{"product_id":"moral-knowledge-routledge-library-editions-ethics-philosophical","title":"Moral Knowledge (Routledge Library Editions: Ethics) - Philosophical","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Moral Knowledge, Alan H. Goldman offers a focused, historically grounded examination of whether moral knowledge exists and how it compares to other forms of knowledge. The book is best for readers who want a careful philosophical treatment rather than quick answers: it traces ideas from Hobbes, Hume and Kant and then tests three contemporary accounts of ethics with clear, sustained argument. For those seeking an introduction that ties history to systematic theory, this work provides a compact, rigorous discussion of \u003cstrong\u003emoral reasoning\u003c\/strong\u003e and its relation to science and law.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical analysis:\u003c\/strong\u003e Goldman uses the ethical theories of Hobbes, Hume and Kant to ground contemporary discussion and show how classical views shape modern debates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComparative approach:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book systematically compares three positions - realism, emotivism and coherentism - to clarify their strengths and weaknesses.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLegal reasoning model:\u003c\/strong\u003e Coherence is explained using legal reasoning as a model, which helps readers see how moral justification can operate without empirical methods.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContrast with science:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moral reasoning is compared and contrasted with scientific and empirical reasoning, illuminating where ethics follows or departs from those disciplines.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConcise scholarly treatment:\u003c\/strong\u003e Originally published in 1988 and reissued in the Routledge Library Editions series, the book collects focused philosophical argumentation suitable for courses and personal study.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is aimed at philosophy students, instructors, and readers who already have some background in ethical theory and want a compact, analytic treatment of whether moral knowledge is possible. It is particularly useful for courses on metaethics or seminars comparing historical and contemporary views.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders who prefer introductory overviews, broad popular treatments, or practical how-to guides on moral decision making may find the text dense; those looking for exhaustive empirical studies of moral psychology should look elsewhere.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eClear linkage of historical sources to modern positions helps make complex arguments accessible to readers familiar with philosophical texts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eSystematic comparison of realism, emotivism and coherentism provides a usable framework for class discussion or further study.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eUsing legal reasoning as a model for coherence offers a concrete example that clarifies an otherwise abstract theory.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThe book assumes some prior familiarity with ethical theory and may feel terse for complete newcomers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMoral Knowledge (Routledge Library Editions: Ethics)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAlan H. Goldman\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOriginal publication\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1988\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFocus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMetaethics; realism, emotivism, coherentism\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eComparative emphasis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHistorical and contemporary analysis including Hobbes, Hume, Kant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMethod\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePhilosophical analysis with legal reasoning model\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor readers with some philosophical background who want a tightly argued study of whether moral knowledge exists, Goldman's Moral Knowledge delivers a disciplined, historically informed comparison of major positions. It is good value for students and instructors seeking a concise text that connects historical thinkers to systematic metaethical debate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book cover historical philosophers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Goldman examines Hobbes, Hume and Kant to show how their ideas inform contemporary accounts of moral knowledge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a practical guide to moral decision making?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. The book is an analytic philosophical treatment focused on theory rather than practical ethical advice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill this book help in a metaethics course?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Its systematic comparison of realism, emotivism and coherentism makes it well suited for course reading and seminar discussion.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Alan H. 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