Roger Crisp
Encyclopedia
Roger Stephen Crisp is Fellow and Tutor in Philosophy
at St. Anne’s College, Oxford. He holds the university posts of Professor
of Moral Philosophy and Uehiro Fellow and Tutor in Philosophy. His work falls principally within the field of ethics
, in particular metaethics, normative ethics
, and applied ethics
. In addition, he is Chairman of the Management Committee of the Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics.
Crisp began his higher education at St. Anne’s College, Oxford, in 1979, where he read Literae Humaniores
. He was amongst the first male cohort to study at this previously all-female college. He was taught by, amongst others, Margaret Howatson, Margaret Hubbard, Gwynneth Matthews, Barbara Mitchell, and Peter Derow
. In 1983 he commenced the B.Phil, and from 1985 until 1988 he worked on his D.Phil, writing his thesis on utilitarianism
.
In 1986 Crisp began his first academic post, as a junior lecturer in philosophy
at Magdalen College, Oxford
; he returned to St. Anne’s for two years beginning 1987 as a lecturer in philosophy
, before taking up a lecturing post at Hertford College, Oxford
1988-1989. 1989-1991 saw Crisp move to University College, Oxford
, as a British Academy
Research Fellow
and Honorary Junior Research Fellow. Finally, Crisp returned once more to St. Anne’s in 1991, to take up a permanent post as Fellow and Tutor in Philosophy. For the first time in his career, Crisp temporarily left Oxford and spent the academic year 2010-2011 at Boston University
to explore his interest in the moral philosophy of Henry Sidgwick
.
Arguably Crisp’s most significant work to date has been Reasons and the Good (Clarendon Press, 2006), in which he advances some novel approaches to the oldest questions in ethics. The central claim of this work is that a fundamental issue in normative ethics is what ultimate reasons might underlie our actions; Crisp argues that the best exposition of such reasons will not employ moral concepts. So far, Reasons and the Good has generally been very well-received.
Crisp is currently editing an Oxford Handbook on the History of Ethics. Other major works include a translation of Aristotle’s
Nicomachean Ethics
(Cambridge University Press
, 2000), and the Routledge Guidebook to Mill
on Utilitarianism
(Routledge
, 1997).
Crisp has a wife and two daughters. Aside from his work, his interests include bluegrass guitar
and wine tasting
.
Reasons and the Good (Clarendon Press, 2006)
Articles:
1.‘Hume on Virtue, Utility, and Morality’, in S. Gardiner (ed.), Virtue Ethics, Old and New: 159-78, 2005.
2.‘Values, Reasons, and the Structure of Justification: How to Avoid Passing the Buck’, Analysis 65.285: 80-85, 2005.
3.‘How to Allocate Health Care Resources: QALYs or the Virtues?’ [in Japanese], Journal of Death and Life Studies 6: 147-56, 2005.
4.‘Aristotle on Greatness of Soul’, in R. Kraut (ed.), Blackwell Guide to Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics: 158-78, 2006.
This is a selection of Crisp's recent publications. For an exhaustive list download the PDF file on his page on the Oxford University Philosophy Faculty website.
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
at St. Anne’s College, Oxford. He holds the university posts of Professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of Moral Philosophy and Uehiro Fellow and Tutor in Philosophy. His work falls principally within the field of ethics
Ethics
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.Major branches of ethics include:...
, in particular metaethics, normative ethics
Normative ethics
Normative ethics is the study of ethical action. It is the branch of philosophical ethics that investigates the set of questions that arise when considering how one ought to act, morally speaking...
, and applied ethics
Applied ethics
Applied ethics is, in the words of Brenda Almond, co-founder of the Society for Applied Philosophy, "the philosophical examination, from a moral standpoint, of particular issues in private and public life that are matters of moral judgment"...
. In addition, he is Chairman of the Management Committee of the Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics.
Crisp began his higher education at St. Anne’s College, Oxford, in 1979, where he read Literae Humaniores
Literae Humaniores
Literae Humaniores is the name given to an undergraduate course focused on Classics at Oxford and some other universities.The Latin name means literally "more humane letters", but is perhaps better rendered as "Advanced Studies", since humaniores has the sense of "more refined" or "more learned",...
. He was amongst the first male cohort to study at this previously all-female college. He was taught by, amongst others, Margaret Howatson, Margaret Hubbard, Gwynneth Matthews, Barbara Mitchell, and Peter Derow
Peter Derow
Peter Sidney Derow , MA, PhD was Hody Fellow and Tutor in Ancient History at Wadham College, Oxford and University Lecturer in Ancient History from 1977 to 2006...
. In 1983 he commenced the B.Phil, and from 1985 until 1988 he worked on his D.Phil, writing his thesis on utilitarianism
Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism is an ethical theory holding that the proper course of action is the one that maximizes the overall "happiness", by whatever means necessary. It is thus a form of consequentialism, meaning that the moral worth of an action is determined only by its resulting outcome, and that one can...
.
In 1986 Crisp began his first academic post, as a junior lecturer in philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
at Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. As of 2006 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £153 million. Magdalen is currently top of the Norrington Table after over half of its 2010 finalists received first-class degrees, a record...
; he returned to St. Anne’s for two years beginning 1987 as a lecturer in philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, before taking up a lecturing post at Hertford College, Oxford
Hertford College, Oxford
Hertford College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It is located in Catte Street, directly opposite the main entrance of the original Bodleian Library. As of 2006, the college had a financial endowment of £52m. There are 612 students , plus various visiting...
1988-1989. 1989-1991 saw Crisp move to University College, Oxford
University College, Oxford
.University College , is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. As of 2009 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £110m...
, as a British Academy
British Academy
The British Academy is the United Kingdom's national body for the humanities and the social sciences. Its purpose is to inspire, recognise and support excellence in the humanities and social sciences, throughout the UK and internationally, and to champion their role and value.It receives an annual...
Research Fellow
Research fellow
The title of research fellow is used to denote a research position at a university or similar institution, usually for academic staff or faculty members. A research fellow may act either as an independent investigator or under the supervision of a principal investigator...
and Honorary Junior Research Fellow. Finally, Crisp returned once more to St. Anne’s in 1991, to take up a permanent post as Fellow and Tutor in Philosophy. For the first time in his career, Crisp temporarily left Oxford and spent the academic year 2010-2011 at Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
to explore his interest in the moral philosophy of Henry Sidgwick
Henry Sidgwick
Henry Sidgwick was an English utilitarian philosopher and economist. He was one of the founders and first president of the Society for Psychical Research, a member of the Metaphysical Society, and promoted the higher education of women...
.
Arguably Crisp’s most significant work to date has been Reasons and the Good (Clarendon Press, 2006), in which he advances some novel approaches to the oldest questions in ethics. The central claim of this work is that a fundamental issue in normative ethics is what ultimate reasons might underlie our actions; Crisp argues that the best exposition of such reasons will not employ moral concepts. So far, Reasons and the Good has generally been very well-received.
Crisp is currently editing an Oxford Handbook on the History of Ethics. Other major works include a translation of Aristotle’s
Aristotle
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
Nicomachean Ethics
Nicomachean Ethics
The Nicomachean Ethics is the name normally given to Aristotle's best known work on ethics. The English version of the title derives from Greek Ἠθικὰ Νικομάχεια, transliterated Ethika Nikomacheia, which is sometimes also given in the genitive form as Ἠθικῶν Νικομαχείων, Ethikōn Nikomacheiōn...
(Cambridge University Press
Cambridge University Press
Cambridge University Press is the publishing business of the University of Cambridge. Granted letters patent by Henry VIII in 1534, it is the world's oldest publishing house, and the second largest university press in the world...
, 2000), and the Routledge Guidebook to Mill
John Stuart Mill
John Stuart Mill was a British philosopher, economist and civil servant. An influential contributor to social theory, political theory, and political economy, his conception of liberty justified the freedom of the individual in opposition to unlimited state control. He was a proponent of...
on Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism is an ethical theory holding that the proper course of action is the one that maximizes the overall "happiness", by whatever means necessary. It is thus a form of consequentialism, meaning that the moral worth of an action is determined only by its resulting outcome, and that one can...
(Routledge
Routledge
Routledge is a British publishing house which has operated under a succession of company names and latterly as an academic imprint. Its origins may be traced back to the 19th-century London bookseller George Routledge...
, 1997).
Crisp has a wife and two daughters. Aside from his work, his interests include bluegrass guitar
Bluegrass music
Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and a sub-genre of country music. It has mixed roots in Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish traditional music...
and wine tasting
Wine tasting
Wine tasting is the sensory examination and evaluation of wine. While the practice of wine tasting is as ancient as its production, a more formalized methodology has slowly become established from the 14th century onwards...
.
Select Publications
Books:Reasons and the Good (Clarendon Press, 2006)
Articles:
1.‘Hume on Virtue, Utility, and Morality’, in S. Gardiner (ed.), Virtue Ethics, Old and New: 159-78, 2005.
2.‘Values, Reasons, and the Structure of Justification: How to Avoid Passing the Buck’, Analysis 65.285: 80-85, 2005.
3.‘How to Allocate Health Care Resources: QALYs or the Virtues?’ [in Japanese], Journal of Death and Life Studies 6: 147-56, 2005.
4.‘Aristotle on Greatness of Soul’, in R. Kraut (ed.), Blackwell Guide to Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics: 158-78, 2006.
This is a selection of Crisp's recent publications. For an exhaustive list download the PDF file on his page on the Oxford University Philosophy Faculty website.