The late J. L. Mackie and his work were a focus for much of the best
philosophical thinking in the Oxford tradition. His moral thought centres on
that most fundamental issue in moral philosophy -- the issue of whether our
moral judgements are in some way objective. The contributors to this volume,
first published in 1985, are among the most distinguished figures in moral
philosophy, and their essays in tribute to John Mackie present views at the
forefront of the subject. Five of the essays give a new understanding of the
objectivity of moral judgements. These are by Simon Blackburn, R.M. Hare, John
McDowell, Susan Hurley and Bernard Williams. The remaining contributors -
- Philippa Foot, Steven Lukes, Amartya Sen, David Wiggins -- give their
attention to problems which are equally compelling, such as the defence of a
moral outlook based on a conception of a need and of what follows from it. The
volume also includes the addresses given by Simon Blackburn and George Cawkwell
at the memorial service for John Mackie, and a list of his publications,
compiled by Joan Mackie.
