Practical Inferences

Practical Inferences is an essential collection of papers by R. M. Hare, the leading advocate of prescriptivism, an influential ethical theory that examines the logical nature of moral language. Expanding upon the ideas presented in The Language of Morals (1952) and Freedom and Reason (1963), this volume offers deeper engagement with core issues in moral philosophy while introducing new discussions that further illuminate the ongoing debate between prescriptivists and their critics, the descriptivists. Through these essays, Hare provides a rigorous defense of his views, demonstrating how moral statements function as action-guiding prescriptions rather than mere descriptions of the world.

This collection is indispensable for those interested in contemporary ethical theory and the linguistic analysis of moral discourse. Hare's work has shaped modern debates in metaethics, and this volume presents a crucial resource for philosophers, scholars, and students seeking to understand the implications of prescriptivism for moral reasoning, autonomy, and ethical decision-making. With the inclusion of previously unpublished materials and a comprehensive bibliography, Practical Inferences stands as a definitive reference for those exploring the intersection of language, logic, and moral philosophy.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1971.