The Moral Life

by Oliver A. Johnson

Originally published in 1969, this book challenges the view among many 20th Century philosophers that no cogent arguments could be found capable of providing support for the normative pronouncements of practical morality. The book asserts that this conclusion is mistaken and the result of basic deficiencies endemic in the logical structure of traditional ethics. The volume develops an argument whose logical structure is quite different from the ways of reasoning that have dominated the history of Western ethics and which allows answers to such primary questions of practical morality such as 'How ought we as moral beings to act?'

103 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Dr. Oliver A. Johnson, Ph.D. (Yale University, 1951; B.A., Linfield College, 1944) was a professor of philosophy at the University of California, Riverside, until his retirement in 1989, and longtime activist in the UC Academic Senate. Dr. Johnson concentrated on fundamental philosophic issues, establishing an international reputation for his work in ethics (particularly normative ethics and metaethics) and epistemology.

The Oliver Johnson Award is given out biennially to a member of the UC faculty who has performed outstanding service to the Academic Senate. Its broader goal is to honor all members of faculty (including Emeriti/ae Senate members) who have contributed their time and talent to the Senate. The award carries a small honorarium for the faculty member who receives it and is presented at the Annual Academic Council dinner.