Author

Simon Blackburn

16 key ideas across 2 books, each explained in our own words.

Being Good

IDEA 1
Ethics faces seven threats
Blackburn begins by examining seven ideas that seem to threaten ethics: the death of God, relativism, egoism, evolutionary theory, determinism, the demands of morality being too high and the claim that morality is false consciousness.
IDEA 2
Morality without God
Blackburn argues that ethics does not collapse without belief in God. Moral reasons, he says, can stand on their own. Kindness and fairness matter whether or not anyone believes in a divine lawgiver.
IDEA 3
Relativism has limits
Blackburn explains that while cultures differ, this does not mean any moral view is as good as another. Some practices can still be criticised. Cruelty, he insists, is wrong whatever local custom says.

IDEA 1
Everyone already philosophises
Blackburn argues that philosophy is not a remote subject but something everyone does when they wonder about knowledge, mind, morality or God. His book introduces these big questions in clear language and invites readers to think them through.
IDEA 2
Can we know anything?
Blackburn begins with Descartes and sceptical arguments that we might be dreaming or deceived. He explains how philosophers have tried to answer these doubts and why the questions are harder than they look.
IDEA 3
How do minds fit with bodies?
Blackburn explores the puzzle of how thoughts and feelings relate to the physical brain. He considers dualism, which separates mind and body, and alternatives that see the mind as part of the physical world.

Go deeper with Simon BlackburnAsk questions, argue with the ideas and practise using them, free.