Rashdall, Hastings. Theory of good and evil: a treatise on moral philosophy. 2v. *$4.75. Oxford.
7–18191.
“In the first instance it is intended for ‘undergraduate students in philosophy,’ and is not supposed to assume any previous acquaintance either with ethics or with general philosophy. In the second place, it aims at working out an ethical theory which shall be in some sense a higher synthesis of Green and Sidgwick, to whose memory the book is dedicated.” (Lond. Times.) “In the first volume, Mr. Rashdall deals with the fundamental conceptions of ethics.... In the second volume the author examines what he regards as the metaphysical implications of ethics, but he hardly proves the propriety of introducing such a discussion Into a treatise on moral philosophy.” (Nation.)
“This treatise, though concerned with the investigation of profound questions, is singularly successful in its avoidance of all ponderosity and pedantry. Written in a pleasing style, it is readable throughout. The problems discussed are clearly presented, the line of argument is always developed with logical care and dialetical skill, the discussions of even the most abstract questions are uniformly lucid and illuminating. Much of the suggestive power of the work is derived from the wealth of pertinent illustration, upon his abundant store of which the author draws freely.” A. R. Gifford.
| + + | J. Philos. 4: 548. S. 26, ’07. 1900w. |
“In spite of the disadvantages incident to his plan, Dr. Rashdall has produced a very readable and useful book. Without being strikingly original his criticisms and contentions touch fundamental issues and rest upon a full knowledge of ethical thought in the past as well as of recent discussions. One of the features of the book is its fairmindedness and moderation.”
| + − | Lond. Times. 6: 290. S. 27, ’07. 1690w. |
“The discussion is generally sympathetic—often entertaining, and in attention to details the author has been industrious and thorough. Yet the final impression left upon the reader is that of logical looseness and structural weakness.”
| − + | Nation. 85: 331. O. 10, ’07. 870w. |