Essays on the Moral Concepts compiles a collection of his most significant contributions to ethical theory, many of which were previously scattered in academic journals. The volume serves as a convenient collection for students of moral philosophy, offering an expanded view of the perspective presented in his earlier works The Language of Morals and Freedom and Reason. Included is the previously unpublished paper Wrongness and Harm, which engages in the ongoing debate between prescriptivists, like Hare, and descriptivists, such as Mr. Warnock and Mrs. Foot. This paper is a noteworthy addition, as it seeks to identify common ground between Hare and his critics, making it an essential piece for anyone studying contemporary analytical philosophy.
In the preface, Hare reflects on his work and the shifting nature of his philosophical views, acknowledging that his positions are not fixed. While much of the volume consists of critical responses to philosophical positions he disagrees with, Hare also aims to find common ground with those he has previously contested. The inclusion of Wrongness and Harm exemplifies this effort, offering a more provisional and open-minded approach to the moral discussions at hand. This paper, part of a broader seminar on Utilitarianism, benefits from the insights and critiques of philosophers like Professor J. J. C. Smart, Professor Narveson, and Mr. Parfit, whose influence is evident in the evolving arguments presented in the text.
This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1972.