Moral Reflection

Moral Reflection identifies a significant virtue that has so far escaped attention in moral philosophy, and closely examines the stance of three seminal moral philosophers in its light. The book holds that to be morally reflective -- to strive for lucidity about our own past moral experience -- is both intrinsically admirable and part of what it means to take our moral lives seriously.

In the recent revival of philosophical interest in the virtues, and indeed in moral philosophy more generally, scant attention is paid to the significance of the moral past, or to past-directed moral states. Moral Reflection argues that Socrates (via Plato), Aristotle and Immanuel Kant all exhibit some awareness of moral reflectiveness, but that each fails to grasp it successfully.

By drawing attention to the virtue of moral reflectiveness and exploring its near-emergence in the views of Socrates, Aristotle and Kant, Moral Reflection explores fresh ground in moral philosophy's re-engagement with the virtues.