Practical Shape: A Theory of Practical Reasoning

Practical Shape: A Theory of Practical Reasoning

It is widely accepted that we can reason to a new belief from beliefs that we already have. Aristotle thought that we could also reason from beliefs to action. Many philosophers have disregarded Aristotle's claim, but Jonathan Dancy aims to establish the possibility of reasoning to action, by showing how similar such reasoning is to reasoning to belief. He offers a general theory of reasoning which is Aristotelian in spirit, and which smoothly admits the differences there may be between reasoning to action and reasoning to belief, while also considering the possibility of reasoning to hope, to fear, to doubt, and to intention. "... Practical Shape is as stimulating a book of philosophy as one could hope for. It will be an invaluable resource to those interested in the nature of reasoning, both practical and theoretical, for years to come." -- Laura Tomlinson , Journal of Moral Philosophy "Recommended." -- CHOICE Jonathan Dancy has worked at the University of Texas at Austin since 2005. He previously taught at the University of Keele for 25 years and then at the University of Reading before retiring in the UK in 2011. His books include Practical Reality (2000) and Ethics Without Principles (2004).