What are the appropriate criteria for assessing a theory of morality? In this enlightening work, Brad Hooker begins by answering this question. He then argues for a rule-consequentialist theory which, in part, asserts that acts should be assessed morally in terms of impartially justified rules. In the end, he considers the implications of rule-consequentialism for several current controversies in practical ethics, making this clearly written, engaging book the best overall statement of this approach to ethics.

Brad Hooker is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Reading.

• 1: Introduction


• 2: What are the rules to promote?


• 3: Questions of formulation


• 4: Is rule-consequentialism guilty of collapse or incoherence?


• 5: Predictability and convention


• 6: Prohibitions and special obligations


• 7: Act-consequentialism


• 8: Rule-consequntialism and doing good for the world


• 9: Help with practical problems


• Afterword


• Notes


• References


• Index