ABSTRACT
The aim of social reform is rather to improve the conduct of social life in its moral aspect. This chapter aims to show that despite the essentially distinct aims of social reform or preaching and social ethics there may in practice be a blurring of the distinction between the two activities because the one may use the methods of the other. The close connection between philosophical theory and social reform in the history of the Utilitarian movement is only one of many historical examples of the way in which practical social ideals may be affected by philosophical analysis. The objection, stated in general terms, is that moral beliefs are endlessly varied and therefore there is no one phenomenon which can be identified as ‘social morality’. A different kind of interpretation of the moral practice thesis, and one which brings in religion in a more fundamental way, is based on the alleged need for Divine Grace.
