ABSTRACT
Naturalism is currently a very popular position in many domains of philosophy, from epistemology to ethics to philosophy of mathematics. McDowell's moral philosophy often takes the form of a discussion of the classics, in particular of Aristotle, Hume and Kant. The story is long and full of controversial exegesis. Thomas is right that McDowell's proposal as it stands is derailed by Williams’ critique. Thomas’ suggestion is that McDowell's proposal can be put back on track if one isolates and criticises one key assumption: the people have to distinguish two ideas concerning rationality and moral capacities. Thomas's suggestion concerns rationality and moral capacities, and is formulated within a discussion of moral and political philosophy but in broad strokes it converges, as the author said, with the pragmatist view of rationality put forward by Stephen Stich.
