Ideal Code, Real World A Rule-Consequentialist Theory of Morality [Paperback]

What are the appropriate criteria for assessing a theory of morality? In this enlightening work, Brad Hooker begins by answering this question. He then argues for a rule-consequentialist theory which, in part, asserts that acts should be assessed morally in terms of impartially justified rules. In the end, he considers the implications of rule-consequentialism for several current controversies in practical ethics, making this clearly written, engaging book the best overall statement of this approach to ethics.

1. Introduction
2. What are the rules to promote?
3. Questions of formulation
4. Is rule-consequentialism gulity of collapse or inconsistency?
5. Predictability and convention
6. Prohibitions and special obligations
7. Act-consequentialism
8. Rule-consequntialism and doing good for the world
9. Help with practical problems
Afterword
Notes
References
Index

This is a lucidly written and skillfully argued book by a thoughtful, discerning, and fair-minded philosopher with an enviable command of the relevant literature. Anyone interested in consequentialism or, indeed, in ethical theory generally should read it. --William Shaw,Mind

Scanlon did us a great service by articulating a contractualist conception of right and wrong and Hooker matches him in providing an up-to-date, up-to-the-mark version of the rule-consequentialist alternative. --Philip Pettit,Times Literary Supplement

Hooker's book covers a lot of ground, and does so in a stimulating and often convincing way. --THEORIA, A Swedish Journal of Philosophy

The book passes succinctly from meta-ethical innovations, through detailed comparisons with other major moral theories to a series of provocative real world applications... This is the best available interpretation of the collective strand of the Consequentialist tradition. --Tim Mulgan,Philosophical Quarterly

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