Making Morality: Pragmatist Reconstruction in Ethical Theory

by Todd Lekan

Overview

In this new contribution to moral theory, Todd Lekan argues for a pragmatist conception of morality as an evolving, educational, and fallible practice of everyday life. Drawing on the work of John Dewey, Lekan asserts that moral norms are neither timeless truths nor subjective whims, but habits transmitted through practices. Like the habits that make up medicine or engineering, moral habits are subject to rational evaluation and change according to new challenges and circumstances. This pragmatic interpretation of morality provides a way out of the conundrum of relativism and absolutism.

Building on classical American philosophy to address current philosophical concerns, Lekan's theory revises our basic understanding of moral life and the place of theorizing within that life. Making Morality will prove of great interest to ethical theorists, as it enjoins them to measure theoretical inquiries by how well they produce intellectual tools for problem-solving in dynamic, complex communities.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780826514202
Publisher:	Vanderbilt University Press
Publication date:	02/01/2003
Series:	Vanderbilt Library of American Philosophy
Edition description:	1ST
Pages:	244
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Todd Lekan is assistant professor of philosophy at Muskingum College, New Concord, Ohio.

Editorial Reviews

This is a fine book. Lekan offers a detailed pragmatic conception of ethics. But it is far more. It is a rigorous, engaging discussion of ethical theory that explicitly wrestles with thinkers and ideas that are the mainstay of contemporary Anglo-American ethics. It is an important work in mainstream ethics that merits serious and widespread attention.
-Hugh LaFollette, East Tennessee State University

Making Morality is an important, pragmatic contribution to moral theory. No other book comes close to being as well informed of the classical pragmatic moral tradition and responsive to current metaethical issues in wider philosophical discussions.
—Michael Eldridge, UNC Charlotte

From the Publisher