Dear Prudence: The Nature and Normativity of Prudential Discourse (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780198858263)

Philosophers have long theorized about what makes people's lives go well, and why, and the extent to which morality and self-interest can be reconciled. However, we have spent little time on meta-prudential questions, questions about prudential discourse--thought and talk about what is good and bad for us; what contributes to well-being; and what we have prudential reason, or prudentially ought, to do. This situation is surprising given that prudence is, prima facie, a normative form of discourse and cries out for further investigation of what it is like and whether it has problematic commitments. It also marks a stark contrast from moral discourse, about which there has been extensive theorizing, in meta-ethics.

Dear Prudence: The Nature and Normativity of Prudential Discourse has three broad aims. Firstly, Guy Fletcher explores the nature of prudential discourse. Secondly, he argues that prudential discourse is normative and authoritative, like moral discourse. Thirdly, Fletcher aims to show that prudential discourse is worthy of further, explicit, attention both due to its intrinsic interest but also for the light it sheds on the meta-normative more broadly.

Author: Guy Fletcher
ISBN-10: 0198858264
ISBN-13: 9780198858263
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Language: English
Published: 06/08/2021
Pages: 224
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.10lbs
Size: 9.30h x 6.10w x 0.90d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 05/01/2022