The Origin of Our Knowledge of Right and Wrong - Classic Ethics

In this review of The Origin of Our Knowledge of Right and Wrong, the reviewer finds a compact but influential lecture that will appeal to readers wanting historical depth in moral theory. Based on Franz Brentano's 1889 address to the Vienna Law Society, this edition is most valuable for students and scholars interested in the roots of the doctrine of intentionality and the early development of the theory of value that shaped Meinong, Husserl and Scheler.

Key Features

• Historical context: The book presents a single 1889 lecture that captures Brentano's thinking at a pivotal moment, offering readers direct access to his original argument about moral knowledge.
• Philosophical influence: It outlines ideas that provided the basis for subsequent work on value theory by Meinong, Husserl and Scheler, helping readers trace intellectual lineages.
• Doctrine emphasis: The text presents Brentano's early formulation of the doctrine of intentionality, a concept central to contemporary philosophy of mind, useful for theory comparisons.
• Concise presentation: As a lecture text, the material is focused and readable, making it suitable for seminar discussion or close study without sprawling commentary.
• Academic relevance: The edition is appropriate for use in courses on ethics, phenomenology, or the history of philosophy, providing primary-source material for analysis.

Who It's For

This edition is best for philosophy students, historians of ideas, and scholars working on ethics, phenomenology, or the philosophy of mind who want to engage with primary source material by a formative thinker. It suits seminar reading lists and researchers tracing the development of value theory.

Readers seeking a comprehensive textbook, an introduction for general audiences, or extensive commentary should look elsewhere, since the work is a single lecture and does not provide a broad survey or modernized exposition for beginners.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Direct access to Brentano's 1889 lecture provides a clear view of his early positions on moral knowledge and intentionality.
• Important for understanding the intellectual origins of later value theory by Meinong, Husserl and Scheler.
• Concise and focused text makes it suitable for close reading and classroom discussion.

Cons

• As a single lecture, it lacks extensive commentary or modern explanatory apparatus for new readers.

Specifications

Our Verdict

This edition is recommended for readers who want primary-source insight into the origins of modern value theory and the early statement of the doctrine of intentionality. It offers concentrated intellectual value for courses and research, though those new to the subjects may prefer a companion text with more background and commentary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the original Brentano lecture text?
Yes, the work reproduces the content of Brentano's 1889 lecture as presented in the revival edition.

Will this help with studies in phenomenology?
Yes, it is useful for tracing ideas that influenced Meinong, Husserl and Scheler and for understanding early statements relevant to phenomenology.

Is extensive commentary included?
The edition focuses on the lecture itself and does not provide comprehensive modern commentary, so supplementary texts may be helpful for newcomers.