Ethics Book

A book you have to reflect on. Essentially Mackie argues that morality cannot be objective and is subjective. The book is structured in three parts with 10 chapters.

The first part examines the status of ethics.

The Subjectivity of Values which he concludes:

‘Moral scepticism, the denial of objective moral values, is not to be confused with any of several first order normative views, or with any linguistic or conceptual analysis. Indeed, ordinary moral judgements involve a claim to objectivity which both non-cognitive and naturalist analyses fail to capture. Moral scepticism must therefore, take the form of error theory, admitting that a belief in objective values is built into ordinary moral thought and language, but holding that this belief is false. ‘

The following chapters cover The Meaning of Good. Obligations and Reasons ending with Universalization.

The second part investigates there content of ethics with chapters on the object of morality, utilitarianism, Consequentialism and Deontology and ending with elements of a practical morality. Mackie outlines a first order moral system where he bases it around rule utilitarianism.

Part 3 is on Frontiers of Ethics with the two final chapters covering determinism, responsibility and choices as well as religion, law and politics.

Is he correct that morality is subjective with no means of measuring it objectively. Instead we prescribe morals to fit our desires within legal, religious, social and economic frameworks that allow us to live cooperatively and competitively. I do not know the answer but the book does challenge your perceptions about morality.