Discerning goods : an exposition of the ethical theory of John Anderson

This essay explores the possibility of a scientific theory of ethics by an examination of the writings of John Anderson. Anderson holds the view that the diversity of theories in ethics is not because there are a large number of subject matters in ethics, but rather that there are a large number of theories attempting to explain one set of ethical phenomena.I The ethical field is confused, for the very nature of this field is not adequately grasped. The partiality of the resulting views leads to a search for 'foundations' that aim to prop up what was never properly constructed or realised. Thus Anderson's approach here, as elsewhere, is polemical and critical.