Abstract

Raphael's volume is an excellent example of both the logical and the psychological clarity often achieved by the British analysts. He regards moral philosophy as the application of the tools of philosophy to moral judgment and experience. Its data consist of "the reflective moral judgements of ordinary life," in contrast to merely habitual, non-reflective evaluations. Reflective moral judgments are those we are prepared to stand by if they are challenged, regardless of the dictates of custom. Although Raphael makes much of ordinary language, he insists that moral philosophy is not merely a description of common usage. Its task is "to make more coherent and systematic the scheme of moral concepts and principles vaguely used in everyday life".