This title introduces and explores historical and contemporary accounts of reasons in ethical action. When we say we act 'for a reason', what do we mean? And what do reasons have to do with being good or bad? Introducing readers to a foundational topic in ethics, this book introduces and explores the answers that have been given to some of these fundamental philosophical questions. Eric Wiland here considers the ethical reasoning that lies behind our actions. The book lays out and critically reviews some of the most popular answers given in the history of philosophy, from perspectives ranging from psychologism through value theory to primitivism. From here, Wiland goes on to consider contemporary constitutivist theories of reasons and explores how this approach can shed new light on the nature of irrational action and vice. Reasons also includes chapter summaries and guides to further reading to help readers mastery this important question in contemporary writing in ethics and the philosophy of action. "Continuum Ethics" is a series of books written to help students explore, engage with and master key topics in contemporary ethics and moral philosophy.

Author Biography

Eric Wiland is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Missouri - St Louis, USA.