Taking Morality Seriously

Taking Morality Seriously presents a defense of moral realism and outlines a robust metaethical framework. David Enoch argues for the existence of objective moral truths and normative facts that are irreducible to natural or descriptive facts. The book addresses major objections to moral realism while developing responses to epistemological and metaphysical challenges. Enoch engages with competing views like expressivism and constructivism, demonstrating why they fall short of providing satisfactory accounts of morality and normativity. Through systematic argumentation, Enoch builds a case for why we should believe in mind-independent moral truths despite various philosophical difficulties. He tackles questions about moral disagreement, the relationship between moral facts and motivation, and how we can acquire moral knowledge. The work represents a significant contribution to contemporary metaethical debates and offers a clear articulation of why moral realism matters. Its central message affirms that moral truths exist independently of what anyone believes and that we can access them through moral reasoning.

Readers note this book presents a dense academic defense of moral realism. On PhilPapers and academic forums, philosophers appreciate Enoch's systematic arguments against anti-realism and his case for robust moral facts. Likes: - Clear structure and methodical approach - Thorough responses to common objections - Strong arguments for normative truths Dislikes: - Writing style can be repetitive - Technical language makes it inaccessible to non-philosophers - Some readers found the metaphysical arguments unconvincing Philosopher David Sobel called it "the most sophisticated defense of moral realism in recent memory" in an Ethics review. Multiple readers on Goodreads mentioned struggling with the complex argumentation despite agreeing with the overall thesis. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.17/5 (29 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (6 ratings) PhilPapers: Frequently cited in moral realism discussions with 1,200+ citations Note: Limited review data exists since this is primarily an academic philosophy text rather than a general audience book.

On What Matters by Derek Parfit A systematic defense of moral realism that builds a unified theory connecting rationality, reasons, and objective moral truth.

The Second-Person Standpoint by Stephen Darwall An exploration of moral obligation and normative reasons grounded in the relationship between moral agents.

Being Realistic about Reasons by T.M. Scanlon A philosophical investigation into the nature of normative reasons and their role in moral truth and metaphysics.

Natural Goodness by Philippa Foot A naturalistic account of moral facts that connects moral philosophy to natural facts about human nature and flourishing.

The Possibility of Altruism by Thomas Nagel A defense of moral realism through an examination of practical reason and the foundations of ethical motivation.

📚 David Enoch developed his influential robust moral realism theory while teaching at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he continues to serve as a professor of philosophy and law. 🎓 The book challenges moral relativism by arguing that objective moral facts exist independently of what anyone believes or feels about them - similar to how mathematical truths exist regardless of human opinion. ⚖️ Enoch's work bridges meta-ethics with practical philosophy, showing how abstract moral theory connects to real-world ethical decision-making in law, politics, and everyday life. 🔍 The book's defense of moral realism sparked significant academic debate and has been cited over 1,000 times in philosophical literature since its publication in 2011. 💭 Unlike many philosophical works, Taking Morality Seriously directly addresses common objections to moral realism, including the argument that moral facts would be "too weird" to fit into a naturalistic worldview.