Moral Philosophy: Ethics, Deontology and Natural Law

Joseph Rickaby's Moral Philosophy: Ethics, Deontology and Natural Law is a lucid neo-scholastic treatise that organizes moral inquiry around human action, obligation, conscience, rights, and the rational foundations of law. Written in the disciplined manner of a philosophical manual, it combines analytic precision with a distinctly Thomistic confidence that moral truths are intelligible through reason. Its context is the late nineteenth-century revival of scholastic philosophy, where classical and Christian ethics were restated in dialogue with utilitarianism, positivism, and modern individualism. Rickaby, an English Jesuit priest and philosopher, was among the most important Catholic intellectuals of his generation. Educated within the rigorous traditions of Jesuit learning, he helped transmit Aristotelian-Thomist thought to English-speaking readers at a time when Catholic philosophy sought renewed academic authority. His pastoral and pedagogical commitments are evident throughout the book: he writes not merely to speculate, but to form judgment, clarify duty, and defend moral realism. This volume is recommended for readers interested in natural law theory, Catholic moral theology, and the history of ethical thought. Students will find it a clear introduction to traditional moral categories, while scholars will value its concise articulation of a major intellectual movement. This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience. - Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance. - Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.