Rationalist Pragmatism

A Framework for Moral Objectivism

Mitchell Silver

In Rationalist Pragmatism: A Framework for Moral Objectivism, Mitchell Silver draws from a wide array of philosophical fields to formulate a comprehensive theory of ethics. He argues that an understanding of justification rooted in pragmatism leads to practical principles that apply to all those we would recognize as persons. The account bears implications for the nature of selfhood, the freedom of the will, the meaning of moral terms, the power of moral principles to motivate, conceptions of truth, the nature of value, and the use and abuse of abstract moral theorizing. Rationalist Pragmatism develops its pragmatically informed morality in light of prominent ethical schools, as well as relevant topics in the philosophy of language, metaphysics, and epistemology, including the correspondence theory of truth, inferentialist semantics, motivational internalism, the source of value, and experimental philosophy. Finally, Silver explores concrete moral and political implications of his theory, demonstrating that metaethics can affect positions regarding the morality of personal relations; the treatment of animals; and political assessments of democracy, socialism, and nationalism. Silver maintains that our interest in truth—our rational nature as practical and theoretical beings—forms us as a community of mutually recognizing truth seekers.

Lexington Books

Pages: 222 • Trim: 6⅜ x 9½

978-1-7936-0539-9 • Hardback • July 2020 • $100.00 • (£77.00)

978-1-7936-0540-5 • eBook • July 2020 • $45.00 • (£35.00)

Series: Philosophy of Language: Connections and Perspectives

Subjects: Philosophy / Movements / Pragmatism, Language Arts & Disciplines / Linguistics / Semantics, Political Science / Human Rights, Psychology / Cognitive Psychology & Cognition

Rationalist Pragmatism

A Framework for Moral Objectivism

Hardback

eBook

Summary

In Rationalist Pragmatism: A Framework for Moral Objectivism, Mitchell Silver draws from a wide array of philosophical fields to formulate a comprehensive theory of ethics. He argues that an understanding of justification rooted in pragmatism leads to practical principles that apply to all those we would recognize as persons. The account bears implications for the nature of selfhood, the freedom of the will, the meaning of moral terms, the power of moral principles to motivate, conceptions of truth, the nature of value, and the use and abuse of abstract moral theorizing. Rationalist Pragmatism develops its pragmatically informed morality in light of prominent ethical schools, as well as relevant topics in the philosophy of language, metaphysics, and epistemology, including the correspondence theory of truth, inferentialist semantics, motivational internalism, the source of value, and experimental philosophy. Finally, Silver explores concrete moral and political implications of his theory, demonstrating that metaethics can affect positions regarding the morality of personal relations; the treatment of animals; and political assessments of democracy, socialism, and nationalism. Silver maintains that our interest in truth—our rational nature as practical and theoretical beings—forms us as a community of mutually recognizing truth seekers.

Details

Lexington Books

Pages: 222 • Trim: 6⅜ x 9½

978-1-7936-0539-9 • Hardback • July 2020 • $100.00 • (£77.00)

978-1-7936-0540-5 • eBook • July 2020 • $45.00 • (£35.00)

Series: Philosophy of Language: Connections and Perspectives

Subjects: Philosophy / Movements / Pragmatism, Language Arts & Disciplines / Linguistics / Semantics, Political Science / Human Rights, Psychology / Cognitive Psychology & Cognition

Author

Mitchell Silver teaches at the I Can Academy of the Suffolk County Jail after retiring from the Department of Philosophy of the University of Massachusetts in Boston.

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction: Ideal vs. Non-ideal Moral Theory

Chapter One: The Quest for Justification

Chapter Two: Objectivity and Truth

Chapter Three: Others

Chapter Four: Meaning, Morality, and Social Agreement

Chapter Five: Morality’s Motivational Power

Chapter Six: No Double Standards

Chapter Seven: Our Morality

Chapter Eight: Political Implications

Appendix: Weighing Value

Works Cited

Reviews

“Mitchell Silver’s new book argues that any account of moral objectivity must incorporate a pragmatic conception of moral justification. The argument is original, interesting, and perhaps even true. Best of all, Silver argues for his position with wit and verve. It was a pleasure to read this book.”
— Steven Levine, University of Massachusetts

Rationalist Pragmatism

A Framework for Moral Objectivism

Mitchell Silver

Rationalist Pragmatism

A Framework for Moral Objectivism

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