R.M. Hare

R.M. Hare (1919-2002) was a British moral philosopher who developed influential theories in ethical philosophy, particularly known for his prescriptivism and preference utilitarianism. His work focused on meta-ethics and normative ethics, with significant contributions to understanding moral language and reasoning. During his time as White's Professor of Moral Philosophy at Oxford University (1966-1983), Hare developed his prescriptivist theory, arguing that moral statements are prescriptive rather than descriptive, and that they must be universalizable. His key works include "The Language of Morals" (1952), "Freedom and Reason" (1963), and "Moral Thinking" (1981). Hare's two-level utilitarianism attempted to bridge the gap between act and rule utilitarianism, proposing that moral thinking occurs at both an intuitive and a critical level. His emphasis on the logical properties of moral language and his systematic approach to ethical theory influenced subsequent developments in moral philosophy. His work on applied ethics, particularly in medical ethics and political philosophy, demonstrated how his theoretical framework could be applied to practical moral problems. Hare's ideas continue to influence contemporary discussions in moral philosophy and practical ethics.

Readers appreciate Hare's systematic breakdown of moral reasoning and his clear writing style. Philosophy students note his work helps bridge theoretical ethics with practical decision-making. Multiple readers on Goodreads highlight "The Language of Morals" for its precise arguments and accessible examples. Readers value: - Step-by-step explanation of moral concepts - Connection between theory and real-world applications - Clear writing compared to other philosophy texts Common criticisms: - Dense technical language in later chapters - Repetitive arguments - Limited engagement with opposing viewpoints Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - The Language of Morals: 3.9/5 (87 ratings) - Freedom and Reason: 3.8/5 (42 ratings) - Moral Thinking: 3.7/5 (56 ratings) Amazon reviews are limited, with most titles having fewer than 10 reviews. Academic citations and references to Hare's work appear frequently in philosophy forums and course syllabi.

The Language of Morals (1952) A philosophical examination of moral language and the logical structure of moral reasoning, introducing Hare's universal prescriptivism theory.

Freedom and Reason (1963) An exploration of how moral judgments can be rational while maintaining human freedom, further developing prescriptivist ethical theory.

Applications of Moral Philosophy (1972) A collection of essays addressing practical moral issues through the lens of universal prescriptivism.

Moral Thinking: Its Levels, Method, and Point (1981) An analysis distinguishing between intuitive and critical levels of moral thinking, introducing the two-level utilitarianism concept.

Essays on Political Morality (1989) A series of papers examining political issues through moral philosophy, including discussions of justice, war, and governmental ethics.

Essays in Ethical Theory (1989) A compilation of papers addressing fundamental questions in moral philosophy and the nature of ethical reasoning.

Essays on Religion and Education (1992) An examination of moral and philosophical issues in religious belief and educational systems.

Sorting Out Ethics (1997) A systematic overview of different approaches to moral philosophy, including critiques of competing ethical theories.

Objective Prescriptions and Other Essays (1999) A collection of papers defending and refining universal prescriptivism while addressing various moral philosophical problems.

Peter Singer focuses on applied ethics and utilitarianism, following similar lines of reasoning as Hare's universal prescriptivism. His work bridges academic moral philosophy with practical ethical questions about animal welfare and effective altruism.

Jonathan Glover examines moral philosophy through the lens of real-world conflicts and human behavior. His analysis of ethics in warfare and medicine shares Hare's interest in how moral principles apply to concrete situations.

Bernard Williams critiques utilitarianism while engaging with questions about moral relativism and objectivity. His work on internal and external reasons relates to Hare's exploration of moral judgment and rationality.

Stephen Toulmin develops frameworks for practical reasoning and moral argumentation. His approach to applied ethics parallels Hare's concern with how moral principles function in actual decision-making.

James Rachels writes on meta-ethics and moral objectivity with a focus on practical application. His work on cultural relativism and moral theory connects to Hare's universal prescriptivism while remaining accessible to readers.