Reason and Morality

Summary

Gewirth attempts to develop a stringently rational foundation for morality. His central argument begins with a claim that every rational agent must accept, which is that he or she must have freedom and well-being. Gewirth claims that when the implications of this claim are fully worked out, it follows that every rational agent must also accept the claim that all prospective purposive agents have a moral right to freedom and well-being.

Influence

Reason and Morality is the work for which Gewirth is best known.