Russ Shafer-Landau

Russ Shafer-Landau is an influential American philosopher specializing in moral philosophy and metaethics. As a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he has established himself as a leading voice in contemporary ethical theory and moral realism. After completing his PhD at the University of Arizona under Joel Feinberg, Shafer-Landau has made significant contributions to philosophical scholarship through his founding and editing of Oxford Studies in Metaethics. He founded the Madison Metaethics Workshop (MadMeta) in 2004, which has become an important annual gathering for scholars in the field. Shafer-Landau's philosophical position is most notably characterized by his defense of non-naturalistic moral realism. His work argues that moral truths exist independently of what anyone believes and that moral properties cannot be reduced to natural properties or scientific facts. Throughout his career, Shafer-Landau has held prestigious positions including department chair at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Director of the Parr Center for Ethics at UNC Chapel Hill, and Central Division President of the American Philosophical Association (2020-2021). His major works include "Moral Realism: A Defence" and "The Fundamentals of Ethics," which are widely used in philosophy courses.

Readers praise Shafer-Landau's clear writing style and ability to break down complex philosophical concepts. Students often note that his textbooks, particularly "The Fundamentals of Ethics," make challenging material accessible without oversimplifying. Readers appreciate: - Clear explanations of competing ethical theories - Balanced presentation of different viewpoints - Helpful real-world examples - Logical organization and structure Common criticisms: - Some sections can be repetitive - Dense material requires multiple readings - Arguments against moral relativism viewed as too dismissive by some readers - Technical language can still challenge undergraduate students On Goodreads, "The Fundamentals of Ethics" maintains a 4.1/5 rating across 300+ reviews. Amazon reviews average 4.3/5 stars, with readers frequently commenting on its value as an introductory ethics text. One student reviewer noted: "Unlike many philosophy texts, Shafer-Landau explains concepts step-by-step without assuming prior knowledge." His more specialized work "Moral Realism: A Defence" receives slightly lower ratings (3.9/5 on Goodreads) with readers citing its more demanding technical content.

Moral Realism: A Defence (2003) A comprehensive philosophical defense of moral realism that argues moral truths exist independently of what people believe and cannot be reduced to natural properties.

The Fundamentals of Ethics (2010) A systematic introduction to ethical theory examining core questions about the nature of morality, right and wrong, and moral reasoning.

Whatever Happened to Good and Evil? (2004) An exploration of moral relativism and moral skepticism that defends the existence of objective moral truth.

Living Ethics (2018) A textbook covering major ethical theories and their applications to contemporary moral issues and practical reasoning.

The Ethical Life: Fundamental Readings in Ethics and Moral Problems (2010) An anthology of essential readings in moral philosophy from classical to contemporary sources.

Oxford Studies in Metaethics (2006-present) An annual collection of new scholarly work in metaethics, edited by Shafer-Landau, spanning multiple volumes.

Derek Parfit wrote extensively on moral philosophy and personal identity, focusing on similar metaethical questions as Shafer-Landau. His work "On What Matters" presents systematic arguments for moral realism that complement Shafer-Landau's perspectives.

T.M. Scanlon developed contractualist moral theory and wrote about moral realism in ways that intersect with Shafer-Landau's work. His book "Being Realistic about Reasons" explores the nature of normative truth and moral facts.

Christine Korsgaard examines Kantian ethics and metaethical questions about the foundations of morality. Her work on practical reason and normativity provides different perspectives on issues Shafer-Landau addresses regarding moral realism.

David Enoch defends robust moral realism and addresses metaethical questions about moral truth and objectivity. His book "Taking Morality Seriously" presents arguments for moral realism that engage with similar themes as Shafer-Landau's work.

Peter Singer focuses on practical ethics and moral philosophy, writing accessible works that examine real-world ethical issues. His approach to applied ethics complements Shafer-Landau's theoretical work by showing how ethical principles apply to concrete situations.