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Right And Reason: Ethics in Theory and Practice
Ethics both in theory and practice. Phrased in non-technical language, Right and Reason is a thoroughly competent book in the philosophy of Ethics, which gives the science of morality from the Aristotelian-Thomistic, common-sense school of thought--which is none other than the Perennial Philosophy of the Ages, the philosophy outside of which one's positions quickly become absurd and all reasoning ends up in dead-ends. Impr. 627 pgs, PB
632 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1959
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 25, 2020
Right and Reason was written by a Catholic Philosophy professor for use in Catholic colleges in the United States. It was written in the 50’s but still carries great relevance today. I was particularly engrossed by the chapters on the institution of marriage, which has been so degraded since its writing. It was refreshing to read the clear logic of what marriage really comprises (and what it does not). There’s also a series of articles on the Thomistic system of ethics - natural law theory - and its attendant concepts, which were interesting but could be somewhat abstruse at times (you need to apply a lot of dedication to really nail down these concepts in your mind). Then there are other articles on interesting moral questions around life, rights & duties, worship, health & safety, and truthfulness (etc).
While appreciating this book and the presented view that the natural law perspective is prescriptive in itself, I do have some reservations about the theory. For example, full-blown divorce and remarriage is deemed a violation of natural law by this writer. However, I think such theorists (influenced by catholic theology) fail to appreciate that in the case of one party committing adultery, they have violated the unitive component of marriage and have thus dissolved the compact by uniting with someone else. Additionally, I don’t feel the force of the arguments against contraception. I would make a distinction between a mere frustration of the natural end of a thing and a contrary violation of that end. For me, these issues lead me to conclude that natural law theory makes sense as a system which can support theological moral truth or offer some pre-theological guidance of its own too at times, but as even close to sufficient, in itself, is highly doubtful.
I would’ve appreciated it if the writer laid the groundwork by presenting a case for moral realism, but he largely presupposes the view (although he does endeavour to show why morality requires certain basic assumptions such as the existence of God, freedom of the will, and “immortality of the soul” In his words).
A lot of the book also discusses various political topics from a natural law perspective. Those didn’t quite pique my interest, some of the arguments around those political questions seemed less obvious to me and seemed to have been informed by the writer’s being an American. I largely skimmed those pages.
In all, a good read! There are definitely some valuable nuggets wisdom in the pages of this book.
While appreciating this book and the presented view that the natural law perspective is prescriptive in itself, I do have some reservations about the theory. For example, full-blown divorce and remarriage is deemed a violation of natural law by this writer. However, I think such theorists (influenced by catholic theology) fail to appreciate that in the case of one party committing adultery, they have violated the unitive component of marriage and have thus dissolved the compact by uniting with someone else. Additionally, I don’t feel the force of the arguments against contraception. I would make a distinction between a mere frustration of the natural end of a thing and a contrary violation of that end. For me, these issues lead me to conclude that natural law theory makes sense as a system which can support theological moral truth or offer some pre-theological guidance of its own too at times, but as even close to sufficient, in itself, is highly doubtful.
I would’ve appreciated it if the writer laid the groundwork by presenting a case for moral realism, but he largely presupposes the view (although he does endeavour to show why morality requires certain basic assumptions such as the existence of God, freedom of the will, and “immortality of the soul” In his words).
A lot of the book also discusses various political topics from a natural law perspective. Those didn’t quite pique my interest, some of the arguments around those political questions seemed less obvious to me and seemed to have been informed by the writer’s being an American. I largely skimmed those pages.
In all, a good read! There are definitely some valuable nuggets wisdom in the pages of this book.
October 9, 2022
This book is an excellent presentation of ethics and morality based on philosophy. Fr. Fagothey does rely heavily on Aquinas and Aristotle, but also brings in Plato, Plotinus and other ancient Greeks as well as philosophers who hold positions at odds with natural law. I found it all very helpful and clarifying since I was brought up suffocated by situational ethics and pragmatism based on convenience.
September 22, 2018
Very detailed and thorough explanation of ethics, although it seems to have been written as a textbook rather than for lay Catholics. There was one part that I thought was puzzling at best, the final chapter on peace, the author noted a driving force behind warfare "is that there is no higher authority to which states can appeal for the settlement of their disputes . . ." While he admits the Church fulfilled this role in the past, he seems to regard this arrangement in the modern world as "past all hope of revival" but without offering any supporting evidence for his assertion.
December 26, 2013
TOP 10 All-Time (Ethics)
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews