Table of Contents

1. Philosophy and how to live; 2. Ratiocentric ethics; 3. The ethics of science and power; 4. Ethics and the challenge to reason.

Promotional Information

John Cottingham's 1998 study examines three philosophical approaches to the systematic understanding of human nature.

Reviews

' ... a book of innumerable pleasures, of which Cottingham's careful eclecticism is perhaps one of the most unexpected. Anyone writing in the analytic tradition who can see as much (if not more) value in Lacan as in Locke deserves credit ... Fittingly, this is not just about reason and the passions, but it is also written with plenty of both. It should not only refresh the jaded senses of those who feel they've read enough on ethics for one lifetime, but could also persuade those not of a philosophical disposition that maybe there's something to be said for the old discipline after all'. The Philosophers' Magazine ' ... offers first thoughts on questions of real depth and importance.' Times Literary Supplement 'John Cottingham's masterful book is [written] ... with pungency, elegance and an unpretentious seriousness. Few philosophers could read this book without learning a lot, and without wanting to think further about the important issues it raises.' Roger Crisp, Philosophical Books 'Rich and wise and emotionally engaged ... Cottingham's book is humane, learned, ambitious, original and beautifully written. Read it.' Timothy Chappell, Philosophical Quarterly 'Fascinating ... an excellent instance of a historically oriented treatment of a number of important substantive issues in ethics ... Cottingham is to be warmly applauded for his humane and resounding defence of the project of [exploring how] philosophy and psychoanalysis can converge or cooperate in advancing our thinking about how we want to live.' Raymond Geuss, Philosophy