Dimensions of Moral Theory: An Introduction to Metaethics and Moral Psychology

'Dimensions' may well become the standard intermediate text in ethics courses. Jacobs offers a clear, cohesive, and accessible examination of the often mysterious, yet critical content of ethical theory, falling under the rubrics of metaethics (epistemological, metaphysical, and semantic)and moral psychology, which details the major positions and supporting arguments while tracing their historical development, with concinnity (notably, under 150 pages) and aplumb. Citing David McNaughton, Keele University, from the back cover, "There is a real sense of engaging in a continuing dialogue that spans the history of the subject." The book is conveniently, for a sixteen week semester, divided into four sections: Objectivity and Subjectivity, Moral Theory and Moral Psychology, Forms of Moral Theory, Naturalism and Non-naturalism. The book has excellent references, bibliography, and useful glossary. My only reservations are that, because of its compact presentation (a strength), the reading is sometimes haltingly slow. Also, the work of certain important contemporaries such as Parfit and Singer are ignored. However, this superb study is the perfect text to follow a general introduction, such as Rachels, et al., and highly useful for anyone wishing to know more about the more challenging issues informing contemporary ethical discourse and practice.