Description
Book Synopsis
In this book, Joshua Gert argues that rather than simply 'counting in favour of' action, normative reasons play two logically distinct roles: requiring action and justifying action. His book will appeal to a range of readers interested in practical reason in particular and moral theory more generally.
Trade Review
"It is a great contribution to contemporary philosophical debate and is likely to make an impact." Philosophy in Review
"Brute Rationality is a very fine book. It is crisply written, laced with wit, and carefully argued.... I recommend Brute Rationality to anyone who is interested in issues of practical rationality and how they bear upon moral theory." Ethics
"Brute Rationality is a remarkable book. It is elegant and engaging, and it aims to deliver s traightfoward solutions to problems not addressed by other theories of practical rationality. The theory of normative reasons developed in Brute Rationality is both detailed and novel." - Sergio Tenenbaum, University of Toronto
Table of Contents
Preface and acknowledgements; 1. What would an adequate theory of rationality be like?; 2. Practical rationality, morality and purely justificatory reasons; 3. The criticism from internalism about practical reasons; 4. A functional role analysis of reasons; 5. Accounting for our actual normative judgements; 6. Fitting the view into the contemporary debate; 7. Two concepts of rationality; 8. Internalism and different kinds of reasons; 9. Brute rationality; References; Index.
