This work investigates the evolutionary origins of moral judgment and the philosophical implications of moral skepticism. Richard Joyce, a philosopher specializing in meta-ethics and evolutionary psychology, examines whether moral claims can be considered objective truths or if they are merely useful social constructs. He presents a framework that challenges the assumption that moral realism is necessary for a functioning society, arguing instead for a form of moral error theory.

Experts in the field of meta-ethics frequently cite this text as a significant contribution to the debate between moral realism and anti-realism. Readers often note the high level of academic rigor and the dense, analytical nature of the prose, which is intended for those with a background in philosophical inquiry.