The literature on theoretical reason has been dominated by epistemological concerns, treatments of practical reason by ethical concerns. This book deals sets out a comprehensive theory of rationality applicable to both practical and theoretical reason. In both domains, Audi explains how experience grounds rationality, delineates the structure of central elements, and attacks the egocentric conception of rationality. He establishes the rationality of altruism and thereby supports major moral principles. The concluding part describes the pluralism and relativity his conception of rationality accommodates and, taking the unified account of theoretical and practical rationality in that light, constructs a theory of global rationality--the overall rationality of persons."Robert Audi's new book is magisterial in tone and subject matter.It displays his customary wisdom, restraint, and balanced judgement. And, like his other works, it is written impeccably, indeed elegantly."--Panayot Butchvarov, University of Iowa. |