ABSTRACT
James Q. Wilson wants to say No to the subjectivist theory of ethics which for two generations (at least) has been considered mandatory by the intelligentsia of the left and the right alike. There is evidence too that his decision to say No to moral nihilism has something to do with the discovery that many of his students steadfastly refuse to condemn torture. They refuse because they do not want to be seen making a moral judgement or, to translate into LibSpeak, they do not want to be ‘judgemental’. Wilson explains the universalisation of morality via reference to history, economics and religion. Wilson’s other peculiar beliefs about the cultural history of the West include the notions that the concept of a gentleman originated in the eighteenth century. Wilson removes the fears associated with nihilism by telling everyone that, come what may, Nature itself will prevent us from dumping morality.
