Viable Values: A Study of Life as the Root and Reward of Morality

(Paperback)

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Viable Values examines the most basic foundations of value and morality, demonstrating the shortcomings of major traditional views and proposing that morality is grounded in the objective requirements of human life. Smith argues that human beings need to be moral in order to live, explaining how life is the standard of morality, how flourishing is the proper end and reward of living morally, and how an intelligent egoism is the path to flourishing.

Reviews

Smith writes in very clear, engaging language, refreshing and enjoyable. Good index. Recommended. * Choice Reviews *
Smith undertakes the meta-ethical part and does a commendable job of fleshing out Rand's ideas. * Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association *
To my mind, this is one of the most interesting works in ethics to have appeared in a long while. Tara Smith's book ought to win many new adherents to the proposition that morality should be in the service of life, and not the reverse. -- Lester H. Hunt, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Author Bio

Tara Smith is associate professor of philosophy at the University of Texas.