Ethics and the limits of philosophy Book

This 1985 survey of modern ethics comes to us from a provost at Kings College, Cambridge. Bernard Williams raises an ancient concept, “virtue,” as an alternative to what he considers today's implausible, impersonal systems of morality, which have been built up by philosophers such as Kant.

The first chapters look back at the Greek ideas of virtue. Middle chapters look at modern morality as an institution; the author highlights the many faults in this public morality. Final chapters look at alternatives. The discussion covers a lot of ground, including consequentialism, utilitarianism and egalitarianism.

Reading the book is at times a challenge. Williams doesn’t always make himself clear. Kant is mentioned early, but only haphazardly does his place in the theme emerge. Williams, once he explains the weaknesses with system-building moralities like Kant's, seems at a loss for alternatives. Whether values can count as knowledge is a question that complicates the challenge.

The final chapters are best. Williams clearly wants to turn back to Greek virtues for a renewed foundation of modern ethics. He suggests trying to stress the importance of free inquiry and a reflective consciousness as an alternative to moral system-building. His references here to the psychology, history and sociology of mankind suggest a non-cognitive metaethics that would delimit the scope of ethical inquiry.

The discussion leaves off at this point; what rules should govern public acts remain undecided. So I’m not convinced Williams has won his point that mankind must eschew moral systems for something more personal. What keeps this an interesting discussion is the distinction it makes between morality and ethics, and the non-cognitive alternatives it offers us. I recommend the book for readers who have at least some familiarity with ethical terminology.