"Quinn's writings were always the product of lengthy reflection and great care and precision in argument: they are intellectually packed and elegantly written. And they make distinctive contributions at three different levels of moral philosophy: metaethics, moral theory, and applied ethics....I use most of these essays in my own teaching, and they are standard references for those working in the field. Putting them together would create a book of lasting value, which displayed the range and insight of an outstanding moral philosopher." Thomas Nagel

• Acknowledgments; Introduction; 1. Moral and other realisms: some initial difficulties; 2. Abortion: identity and loss; 3. The right to threaten and the right to punish; 4. Reply to Brook; 5. Truth and explanation in ethics; 6. Reflection and the loss of moral knowledge: Williams on objectivity; 7. Actions, intentions, and consequences: the doctrine of doing and allowing; 9. Actions, intentions, and consequences: the doctrine of double effect; 9. Reply to Boyle's 'who is entitled to double effect?'; 10. The puzzle of the self-torturer; 11. Rationality and the human good; 12. Putting rationality in its place.

"Quinn's writings were always the product of lengthy reflection and great care and precision in argument: they are intellectually packed and elegantly written. And they make distinctive contributions at three different levels of moral philosophy: metaethics, moral theory, and applied ethics....I use most of these essays in my own teaching, and they are standard references for those working in the field. Putting them together would create a book of lasting value, which displayed the range and insight of an outstanding moral philosopher." Thomas Nagel

• Acknowledgments; Introduction; 1. Moral and other realisms: some initial difficulties; 2. Abortion: identity and loss; 3. The right to threaten and the right to punish; 4. Reply to Brook; 5. Truth and explanation in ethics; 6. Reflection and the loss of moral knowledge: Williams on objectivity; 7. Actions, intentions, and consequences: the doctrine of doing and allowing; 9. Actions, intentions, and consequences: the doctrine of double effect; 9. Reply to Boyle's 'who is entitled to double effect?'; 10. The puzzle of the self-torturer; 11. Rationality and the human good; 12. Putting rationality in its place.