Finite and Infinite Goods

Renowned scholar Robert Adams explores the relation between religion and ethics through a comprehensive philosophical account of a theistically-based framework for ethics. Adams' framework begins with the good rather than the right, and with excellence rather than usefulness. He argues that loving the excellent, of which adoring God is a clear example, is the most fundamental aspect of a life well lived. Developing his original and detailed theory, Adams contendsthat devotion, the sacred, grace, martyrdom, worship, vocation, faith, and other concepts drawn from religious ethics have been sorely overlooked in moral philosophy and can enrich the texture of ethicalthought.

“"[The book's] philosophical contribution is remarkable. It would make anexcellent choice for rigorously analytic graduate courses on ethics atseminaries and universities where an interest in theistic ethicssurvives."--Review of Metaphysics”

"Finite and Infinite Goods is a work that every Christian philosopher and theologian concerned with ethics simply must read. It has been a long time since I have read a book with such a bold and original vision, coupled with careful argument and insightful reflection on particular problems and issues."--Books & Culture"...one of the two most important books in moral philosophy of the last quarter century, the other being After Virtue."--Theology Today"...Adams covers a tremendous amount of intellectual ground with such precision and rigor that this book will satisfy both theologians and philosophers alike....an indispensable text."--Religious Studies Review"A comprehensive account of ethics that is both deeply Christian and clearly shaped by Platonic inspiration. It is a book that is both deeply original and in critical dialogue with rival contemporary ethical theory... Adams makes powerful use of the personal character of God. Finite and Infinite Goods is a work that every Christian philosopher and theologian concerned with ethics simply must read. It has been a long time since I have read a bookwith such a bold and original vision, coupled with careful argument and insightful reflection on particular problems and issues."--Books & Culture"...one of the two most important books in moral philosophy of the last quarter century, the other being After Virtue."--Theology Today"In this substantive book, Robert Adams distills and crystalizes much of his previous work into an impressive two-tiered ethical framework: a divine nature theory of the Good and a divine command theory of the morally obligatory. The result is an expansive, integrated, and sophisticated ethical theory that merits great attention."--Review of Metaphysics"[The book's] philosophical contribution is remarkable. It would make an excellent choice for rigorously analytic graduate courses on ethics at seminaries and universities where an interest in theistic ethics survives."--Review of Metaphysics

Robert Merrihew Adams is Clark Professor of Philosophy, Emeritus, Yale University.

Renowned scholar Robert Adams explores the relation between religion and ethics through a comprehensive philosophical account of a theistically-based framework for ethics. Adams' framework begins with the good rather than the right, and with excellence rather than usefulness. He argues that loving the excellent, of which adoring God is a clear example, is the most fundamental aspect of a life well lived. Developing his original and detailed theory, Adams contends that devotion, the sacred, grace, martyrdom, worship, vocation, faith, and other concepts drawn from religious ethics have been sorely overlooked in moral philosophy and can enrich the texture of ethical thought.

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