Lectures on the History of Moral Philosophy

Rating:
Summary: a fascinating collection of lectures
Review: One can see why John Rawls rejuvenated interest in moral philosophy -- this book is not only a beautifully written, but also a well organized collection of lectures on moral philosophy. Yes, all the big names are here -- Kant, Hegel, Leibnitz & Hume -- entire sections devoted to each. Utilitarianism, constructivism, intuitionism and perfectionism are all studied carefully as the various moral philosophies produced by these thinkers.

A warning, though: don't leap into this book as a "Moral Philosophy for Dummies" kind of guide. Although you don't have to be a guru, you need to have already read a bit on the subject in order to savour the delights of this book. I myself am taking my first (very wobbly) steps into a field which attempts, as the cover of the book says, to "define the role of a moral conception in human life."

Rating:
Summary: Lucid but challenging
Review: This is elegant exposition of the moral thought of 4 thinkers: Hume, Kant, Leibniz, and Hegel from one of the most distinguished political philosophers of the 20th century. It is not an easy book to read and is meant to be read alongside the works being discussed. Rawls' insights on their work are perceptive, but even more important is the method used to analyze them. We are to read their work respectfully and generously, considering the philosophic problems they were intended to address and the resources available to them.