Metaethics

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xi

   PDF

2. What Is Metaethics?

   • Simon Kirchin

   Pages 1-20

3. Moral Realism: Mind-Independence

   • Simon Kirchin

   Pages 21-40

4. Moral Realism: Naturalism and Reductionism

   • Simon Kirchin

   Pages 41-88

5. Moral Error Theory

   • Simon Kirchin

   Pages 89-113

6. Noncognitivism

   • Simon Kirchin

   Pages 114-144

7. Sensibility Theory

   • Simon Kirchin

   Pages 145-172

8. Moral Motivation

   • Simon Kirchin

   Pages 173-202

9. Further Thoughts

   • Simon Kirchin

   Pages 203-216

10. Back Matter

    Pages 217-228

    PDF

Metaethics is an engaging and argumentative textbook introducing advanced students to the cutting edge of the debate in one of the most exciting areas of contemporary philosophy. Kirchin covers key topics, including varieties of moral realism, error theory, noncognitivism, and a brand new position; metaethical pluralism.

• cognitivism
• ethics
• Metaethics
• morality
• naturalism
• Noncognitivism
• philosophy

'Simon Kirchin's book is a masterful introduction to metaethics in which he manages to explain key ideas, arguments, and positions involved in metaethical debate and do so in a way that is accessible to beginners. Engagingly written, Metaethics is perfect text for use in upper level undergraduate ethics courses either as a lone text or as a companion to primary sources. Given the scope of the book and its intended audience, it is the best introductory text in metaethics now available.' - Mark Timmons, University of Arizona, USA

• University of Kent, UK

  Simon Kirchin

SIMON KIRCHIN is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Kent, UK. He writes mainly on metaethics. As well as authoring a number of articles, he is the editor of Arguing about Metaethics (with Andrew Fisher), and A World without Values (with Richard Joyce).

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