Oxford Studies in Metaethics

Oxford Studies in Metaethics is an academic series that presents new work in the field of metaethics from leading philosophers and emerging scholars. Each volume contains original essays exploring fundamental questions about the nature of ethics, morality, and normative discourse. The series covers core topics including moral realism, expressivism, moral psychology, reasons and rationality, and the semantics of moral language. Contributors engage with both historical perspectives and contemporary debates while advancing novel arguments and frameworks. The volumes maintain high scholarly standards through rigorous peer review and editorial oversight by series editor Russ Shafer-Landau. Each essay stands alone but connects to broader conversations in moral philosophy and metaethical theory. This series represents a major contribution to understanding the foundations of ethics and the relationship between moral thought, language, and reality. The ongoing scholarly dialogue captured in these volumes helps shape how we conceptualize and reason about fundamental moral questions.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Russ Shafer-Landau's overall work: 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.

New Essays on Moral Realism by Geoffrey Sayre-McCord This collection examines foundational questions in metaethics through papers on moral realism, moral facts, and the nature of moral truth.

Value, Reality, and Desire by Graham Oddie The book presents a systematic investigation of value through metaphysical and epistemological lenses while connecting metaethical theory to practical rationality.

Ethics Without Ontology by Hilary Putnam The text explores moral objectivity and ethical truth without requiring metaphysical commitments to abstract moral entities or properties.

The Nature of Normativity by Ralph Wedgwood This work develops a comprehensive theory about the meaning of normative terms and the metaphysical status of normative properties.

On What Matters by Derek Parfit The book presents a unified theory of ethics that connects metaethical questions about moral truth to normative ethics and practical reasoning.

🔹 The Oxford Studies in Metaethics series, edited by Russ Shafer-Landau, is the only recurring periodical dedicated exclusively to metaethics, making it a cornerstone resource in this philosophical field. 🔹 Editor Russ Shafer-Landau is known for defending moral realism - the view that there are objective moral truths independent of what anyone believes - in contrast to the moral relativism popular among many contemporary philosophers. 🔹 Metaethics, the subject of this series, examines not whether specific actions are right or wrong, but rather the nature of moral properties themselves - questioning whether moral facts exist and how we can know them. 🔹 The series began publication in 2006 and continues annually, featuring original papers from both established scholars and emerging voices in moral philosophy. 🔹 Contributors to the series must present their work at the annual Wisconsin Metaethics Workshop (MadMeta) before publication, ensuring rigorous peer review and scholarly discussion.