Trying to understand morality involves grappling with seemingly irreconcilable conflicts between opposing theoretical positions. Originally published in 1986, this book offers a solution in terms of natural law, which involves reflections on the relevant aspects of human nature and the human condition, as well as on the special nature of prescriptive language. It also discusses several major movements in moral philosophy, both classical and contemporary and examines them in the light of a set of tests for an adequate moral theory.

Trying to understand morality involves grappling with seemingly irreconcilable conflicts between opposing theoretical positions. Originally published in 1986, this book offers a solution in terms of natural law, which involves reflections on the relevant aspects of human nature and the human condition, as well as on the special nature of prescriptive language. It also discusses several major movements in moral philosophy, both classical and contemporary and examines them in the light of a set of tests for an adequate moral theory.

In the role of "historian-detective" Bernard Mayo presents in lecture form three case histories in hero-worship. These abundantly illustrate the uses and abuses of history, revealing how the flesh-and-blood men, humanly fallible yet with the inspiring qualities of greatness, have been distorted and obscured by conflicting interpretations and by myths that defame and myths that glorify. The bright and dark images of three early American patriots are noted. The men themselves are evaluated as shapers of American tradition: Patrick Henry, the Trumpet of the Revolution; George Washington, the Sword; Thomas Jefferson, the Pen. Attention is given also to the makers of the myths, both idolaters and iconoclasts, and to the history of their myth-making. These lectures, delivered at Mercer University, were the second series of the annual Eugenia Dorothy Blount Lamar Memorial Lectures.