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Previous edition, 1st, published in 1971.

What are appropriate criteria for assessing a theory of morality? In Ideal Code, Real World, Brad Hooker begins by answering this question, and then argues for a rule-consequentialist theory. According to rule-consequentialism, acts should be assessed morally in terms of impartially justified rules, and rules are impartially justified if and only if the expected overall value of their general internalization is at least as great as for any alternative rules. In the course of developing his rule-consequentialism, Hooker discusses impartiality, well-being, (...) fairness, equality, the question of how the 'general internalization' of rules is to be interpreted by rule-consequentialism, and the main objections to rule-consequentialism. He also discusses the social contract theory of morality, act-consequentialism, and the question of which moral prohibitions and which duties to help others rule-consequentialism endorses. The last part of the book considers the implications of rule-consequentialism for some current controversies in practical ethics. (shrink)

Argues that rules should not be evaluated in terms of the numbers of acts of this or that kind that they allow. Then asks whether rules should be assessed in terms of whether they promote equality, fairness, and justice, or whether they give priority to the worst off. Finally, two sections discuss how rule‐consequentialism and contractualism differ as to whether morality contains prohibitions on how humans treat animals and the natural environment.