The validity of values : a normative theory of evaluative rationality / Nicholas Rescher.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Rescher, Nicholas, author.

Series:

Rescher, Nicholas. System of pragmatic idealism ; v. 2.

A system of pragmatic idealism ; volume 2

Princeton legacy library

Princeton Legacy Library

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Values.

Rationalism.

Ethics.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (279 p.)

Edition:

Course Book

Place of Publication:

Princeton, New Jersey : Princeton University Press, [1993]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This is the second of the three volumes of A System of Pragmatic Idealism, a series that will synthesize the life's work of the philosopher Nicholas Rescher. Rescher's numerous books and articles, which address almost every major philosophical topic, reflect a unified approach: the combination of pragmatism and idealism characteristic of his thinking throughout his career. The three related but independently readable books of the series present Rescher's system as a whole. In combining leading ideas of European continental idealism and American pragmatism in a new way, Rescher has created an integrated philosophical position in which the central concepts of these two traditions become a coherent totality. The initial volume in the series was dedicated to epistemology, the philosophy of science, and the philosophy of nature. In The Validity of Values, Rescher sets out a normative theory of rationality. Looking at issues of value theory, ethics, and practical philosophy, this second volume of the trilogy has as its theme the utility of values for a proper understanding of ourselves and the world we live in. Rescher's key thesis, which is argued from various angles and points of departure, is that rationality as such and in general is bound up with the theory and practice of rational evaluation. The third volume of the series will deal with the nature of philosophical inquiry itself.Originally published in 1993.The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

Contents:

Machine generated contents note: PART I: VALUES AND REASONS

One

The Reach of Reason

Two

Maximization, Optimization, and Rationality

Three

The Rationality of Values and Evaluations

PART II: SCIENCE AND HUMAN VALUES

Four

How Wide Is the Gap between Facts and Values?

Five

Values in the Face of Natural Science

PART III: VALUES AND HUMAN NATURE

Six

What Is a Person?

Seven

The Power of Ideals

Eight

The Meaning of Life

PART IV: VALUES AND MORALITY

Nine

Optimism and Pessimism

Ten

Moral Objectivity (Are There Moral Facts?)

Eleven

Moral Values as Immune to Relativism

Twelve

Moral Rationality: Why Be Moral?

PART V: VALUES AND RATIONALITY

Thirteen

Rationality and Happiness

Fourteen

Values, Pragmatism, and Idealism

Bibliography

Name Index

Subject Index.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 08. Jul 2019)

Description based on print version record.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [255]-259) and indexes.

ISBN:

9781400863129

1400863120

OCLC:

884013107