Sir,-I cannot recall having read a more satisfactory book review than David Hall’s notice of The Moral Sense by Dr. Daiches Raphael. From two columns of print we may discover-if my interpretation of his obscure and rhetorical style is correct-that:: (1) The book is "brilliant," "straightforward and workmanlike." (2) Its theme is a critical discussion of ethical theory. (3) Philosophers should use few technical terms, since they must remain intelligible to those untrainéd in philosophy. i (4) More space should have been given to the problem of the conflict of obligations. : : Some three-quarters of the article ‘is taken up discussing the reviewer’s own rather shallow opinions, so. that of the detailed contents of the book, its method of treatment and of the class of readers for whom it is intended, we are told practically nothing. In doing this Mr. Hall appears to be imitating the regrettably numerous journalists who regard a book review as an opportunity to display their own erudition and to employ that curious but not unattractive style used for this purpose. As for his opinions, I can only hope that in an age when the need for clear thinking is paramount, his views on the use of mathematical symbolism and technical terms will not find many sup-
porters,
R. O.
DAVIES
(Oamaru).
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 17, Issue 438, 14 November 1947, Page 5
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215Untitled New Zealand Listener, Volume 17, Issue 438, 14 November 1947, Page 5
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