How can the fundamental questions of morality be rationally justified and understood through the lens of historical philosophical inquiry? Terence Irwin, a distinguished scholar in the history of philosophy, utilizes a chronological framework to examine the evolution of ethical thought. By tracing the development of moral theory from Socrates through the modern era, he provides a structured analysis of how various philosophers have defined the human good, virtue, and the rightness of actions. The text serves as a bridge for readers to engage with complex ethical debates by contextualizing them within their historical origins.

Experts frequently cite this work as a highly accessible yet rigorous introduction for students and those new to the field of ethics. Readers often note the clarity of the prose, which manages to distill dense historical arguments into a coherent narrative without sacrificing intellectual depth.