American Ethics: An Introduction to Pragmatist Moral Philosophy

One way of understanding the history of moral philosophy is as the collected offerings of thinkers who have studied the terrain around moral problems. Such philosophers have dedicated themselves to the study of central questions of moral life, questions like: How should we live? What motivates people to be or do good? What is it to be good or do good? How does the pursuit of moral goodness contribute to human happiness?

This book explores the moral philosophy developed over the span of a hundred years by a group of thinkers united by their methods and their meliorism: the American pragmatists. The overarching thesis is that it is worthwhile to study American ethics, not only to add to one’s understanding of the history of moral philosophy, but to add to one’s conceptual repertoire for moral life. It has been common for much of the history of Western moral philosophy to be read as if our reference points for thought and action can be reduced to a trio of concepts: virtue, duty, and consequence. The pragmatists offer other choices, including growth, harmony, loyalty, and culture. This volume shows why individual pragmatists argued in favor of these commitments as worthy ones for structuring a life. It also shows how they thought we should move toward our goals, both as individuals and in our communities.

Diana Heney has taught at Fordham University and Vanderbilt University, and is now Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of Saskatchewan. She works on pragmatism, bioethics, and the history of moral philosophy.