"Wide-ranging and exceptionally lucid.Louden makes an especially impressive case for the uses of moral theory, while performing an even more impressive demolition of several standard antitheoretical arguments. His challenge to current antitheoretic orthodoxies is both powerful and timely, and deserves a wide audience among moral philosophers."--Choice"Provides a useful counterpoint to recent work in antitheory. There is a particularly good section, for example, on why literature and theory may complement each other in helping to enlarge the moral imagination."--Religious Studies Review"His view that morality is self-regarding is of considerable interest. Louden offers much explanatory insight into moral practice, rather than a perspicuous redescription of it."--Philosophy"Louden's argument is detailed and focused.

"--Teaching Philosophy"Louden's scholarship is impressive, his style engaging, and he makes interesting contributions to a number of topics of current concern. His arguments are supported by a scholarly comparison of the moral philosophies of Aristotle and Kant, which laudably emphasizes their deep affinities."--The Times Literary Supplement"Wide-ranging and exceptionally lucid.Louden makes an especially impressive case for the uses of moral theory, while performing an even more impressive demolition of several standard antitheoretical arguments. His challenge to current antitheoretic orthodoxies is both powerful and timely, and deserves a wide audience among moral philosophers."--Choice"Provides a useful counterpoint to recent work in antitheory. There is a particularly good section, for example, on why literature and theory may complement each other in helping to enlarge the moral imagination."--Religious Studies Review"His view that morality is self-regarding is of considerable interest.

Louden offers much explanatory insight into moral practice, rather than a perspicuous redescription of it."--Philosophy"Louden's argument is detailed and focused."--Teaching Philosophy"Louden's scholarship is impressive, his style engaging, and he makes interesting contributions to a number of topics of current concern. His arguments are supported by a scholarly comparison of the moral philosophies of Aristotle and Kant, which laudably emphasizes their deep affinities."--The Times Literary Supplement"[A] well-argued book."--The Philosophical Review.