Craig Taylor: Moral Thought Outside Moral Theory. New York/London: Routledge, 2024. Hardback (ISBN 978-1-032-54201-0) £ 145.00. 154 pp
Abstract This review discusses Craig Taylor’s Moral Thought Outside Moral Theory (Routledge, 2024), a book that argues against the possibility of a general theory of morality. Taylor insists that moral thought is not reducible to impartial and universalizable moral judgment; it also involves our responsiveness to others, our recognition of particular values, and our shared vulnerability. Through close readings of literature and philosophy, he shows how moral theorizing risks deflecting from the difficulties of moral life. While his refusal to engage directly with competing moral theories may frustrate some readers, the book offers a subtle and compelling alternative vision of moral philosophy.
Authors
- Florian Rieger (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9438-537X)
Institutions
- University of Basel (CH)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Ethical Theory and Moral Practice
- Published
- 2026-06-19
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10677-026-10568-6
- Primary Topic
- Philosophical Ethics and Theory
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Universität Basel