ETHICS AND THE

ETHICS AND THE LIMITS OF PHILOSOPHY

`Bernard Williams's book is better read not as an introduction to ethics, but as an attempt to take stock of the present state of the subject. As such, it is a splendid piece of work.' Richard Norman, Times Higher Education Supplement

`This is a superior book, glittering with intelligence and style.' Thomas Nagel, Journal of Philosophy

`Williams's discussions are much to be valued: his explicitness and argumentative ingenuity focus the issues more sharply, and at greater depth, than any comparable work I know . . . One of the most interesting contributions of recent years, not only to ethics but to philosophy'. John McDowell, Mind

`Who has not asked ? if only when depressed ? "How should I live, and how can I find out?" To read this book is to be taken through one of the most sophisticated discussions available of such questions by an engaging, sceptical, often wryly witty and extraordinary subtle professional.' Ronald de Sousa, New York Times Book Review

`Remarkably lively and enjoyable . . . It is a very rich book, containing excellent descriptions of a variety of moral theories, and innumerable and often witty observations on topics encountered on the way.' Philippa Foot, Times Literary Supplement

By the time of his death in 2003, Bernard Williams was acknowledged to be one of the greatest philosophers of his generation. His work was marked by an unusual combination of rigour, imagination and depth, and by its humanity. His books include Morality, Utilitarianism: For and Against, Descartes: The Project of Pure Enquiry, Shame and Necessity and Truth and Truthfulness.

Bernard Williams

Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy

With a commentary on the text by A. W. Moore

First published by Fontana Press 1985

This edition first published 2006 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, OX14 4RN This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2006. "To purchase your own copy of this or any of Taylor & Francis or Routledge's collection of thousands of eBooks please go to eBookstore.tandf.co.uk." Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business

? Bernard Williams 1985, 1993

Bernard Williams asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work

`Commentary on the Text' ? A. W. Moore 2006, reprinted with permission from Acumen Press All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN10: 0-415-39984-x (hbk) ISBN10: 0-415-39985-8 (pbk) ISBN10: 0-203-96984-7 (ebk)

ISBN13: 978-0-415-39984-5 (hbk) ISBN13: 978-0-415-39985-2 (pbk) ISBN13: 978-0-203-96984-7 (ebk)

For Jacob

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