Ethics and moral philosophy Books
Clarendon Press Divine Commands and Moral Requirements Clarendon Library of Logic and Philosophy
Book SynopsisIn this wide-ranging study, Quinn argues that human moral autonomy is compatible with unqualified obedience to divine commands. He formulates several versions of the crucial assumptions of divine command ethics, defending them against a battery of objections often expressed in the philosophical literature.
£110.00
Clarendon Press WellBeing
Book SynopsisThe author offers answers to three central questions about well-being: the best way to understand it; whether it can be measured; and where it should fit in moral and political thought.This is a paperback reissue of the title published in hardback in 1986.Trade Review'the finest most encyclopedic book devoted to understanding the nature of human well-being and its moral importance written this century' David Sobel, Ethical Theory and Moral Practice'There is a tendency in some utilitarian writings to neglect or deny the complexity of ethical thought and practice. James Griffin, by contrast, is alive to this complexity ... suggests more sensitive and less doctrinaire utilitarianism than many have thought possible.' Samuel Scheffler in The Times Literary Supplement'This is an important and fascinating book ... this is a valuable study for a very wide audience of theoretical and applied researches. Since receiving the review copy, our research team have consulted it almost daily and we are grateful to the author for condensing such an essential literature.' Caroline Selai and Rachel Rosser, BMAS Newsletter, Summer '93Table of ContentsPart 1 Utilitarian accounts: state of mind or state of the world; - the desire account developed; objective accounts; perfectionism and the ends of life. Part 2 Measurement: are there incommensurable values?; the case of one person; the case of many persons. Part 3 Moral importance: from prudence to morality; equal respect; fairness; rights; desert; distribution.
£44.64
Oxford University Press Wise Choices Apt Feelings A Theory of Normative Judgement
Book Synopsis`Choices can be wise or foolish, and feelings can be apt or off the mark.'' Since this is how we judge, it would be good to know what content these normative judgements carry. Gibbard offers an answer, and elaborates it. His theory explores what is at issue in narrowly moral questions, and in questions of rational thought and conduct in general. It helps to explain why normative thought and talk so pervade human life, and why our highly social species might have evolved to be gripped by these questions. Gibbard asks how, if his theory is right, we can interpret our normative puzzles, and thus proceed toward finding answers to them.Not available from OUP in the USA, Canada, Japan or the Phillippines.Trade Review`no one who cares about ethics can ignore Gibbard's book with impunity' Times Literary Supplement`Every so often, though not often enough, a philosophical book is written that addresses a deep problem with profound insight, subtle argumentation and captivating style. Allan Gibbard's Wise Choices, Apt Feelings: A Theory of Normative Judgement is such a book. It is an important book; it is a beautiful book' Philosophical Quarterly'this book commands respect on many counts ... It is an impressive exercise in system-building and a deeply serious contribution to the theory of peaceful co-existence under conditions of "unsocial sociability".' Sabina Lovibond, Worcester College, Mind, Vol. 101, No. 402, April 1992'First published to considerable acclaim Allan Gibbard's book is now available in paperback. It addresses the relationship between rationality and morality.' Explorations in KnowledgeTable of ContentsI. Analyses: 1. The puzzle; 2. Nature and judgment; 3. Analyses broached; 4. Normative psychology; 5. Normative logic; II. Psyche in nature: 6. Natural representation; 7. Moral emotions; III. Normative objectivity: 8. Objectivity: first steps; 9. Normative authority; 10. Parochial judgment; 11. Rationale and warrant; 12. Pragmatic support; 13. Communities of judgment; IV. Moral inquiry: 14. Moral concern; 5. Assessing feelings; 16. Structural questions; 17. Moral system; References; Index
£41.79
Clarendon Press Sextus Empiricus
Book SynopsisAbout Sextus: Sextus Empiricus is one of the most important ancient philosophical writers after Plato and Aristotle. His writings are our main source for the doctrines and arguments of Scepticism. He probably lived in the second century AD. Eleven books of his writings have survived, covering logic, physics, ethics, and numerous more specialized fields. About Against the Ethicists: In this unjustly neglected and misunderstood work Sextus sets out a distinctive Sceptic position in ethics. He discusses the concepts good and bad, and puts forward the sceptical argument that nothing is either good or bad by nature or intrinsically or invariably, but only relatively to persons and/or to circumstances. He then argues that the sceptic is better off than the non-sceptic. In the latter part of the book, Sextus attacks the Stoic view that there is such a thing as a ''skill for life''. About this edition: This volume contains a translation of Against the Ethicists into clear modern English, togeTrade ReviewBett shows himself as a good philologist, his translation is precise and based on a diligent evaluation of the text variants. It is also very clear and very good to read. * J.Opsomer, Les Etudes Classiques, University of Namur, Vol.68. *'a great deal of philosophical and philological scholarship will be foundan excellent job of tracking down Sextus's sources and his targets.' Journal of the History of Philosophy'an excellent translation of and commentary on Sextus Empiricusa detailed and informative treatment of the book as a whole and of individual arguments within it.' Bob Sharples, Phronesis'it would be appropriate for anyone interested in skepticism, whether ancient or modern, to use this careful and useful book.' Julia Annas, The Philosophical Review'every student of Pyrrhonism will want this commentary for its detailed criticisms of Sextus' arguments.' Charles Brittain, Ancient Philosophy'This translation and commentary...will certainly become the standard edition of this important text for the forseeable future.' Marcelo D. Boeri, Manuscrito'Bett's work is a distinguished addition to the literature on skepticism.' Lloyd P. Gerson, Bryn Mawr Classical ReviewThis excellent and admirable volume contains an English translation with copious notes and commentary of Sextus Empiricus' most extensive discussion of ethical theory ... It is in all respects an exemplary production. The translation, occupying the first thirty-nine pages, is excellent ... and generally capturing Sextus' dry, and sometimes drily witty philosophical prose ... B. has put an immense amount of thought into every line of Sextus, and the translation and commentary reflect that ... All in all a first-rate production, which should be taken as a model for future members of its genre. * Tad Brennan, Journal of Hellenic Studies 119 (1999). *Sextus' work Against the Ethicists has long suffered from a lack of consideration by students of Pyrrhonism. Richard Bett's meticulous translation and commentary sets out to rectify this scholarly discourtesy by a careful analysis of Sextus' arguments and an accurate and concise exposition of his opponents' doctrines. Bett's treatment of textual matters.. is a model of concision. His grasp and presentation of the mainly Stoic doctrines dealt with... appears unerring... every student of Pyrrhonism will want this commentary for its detailed criticisms of Sextus' arguments. * Charles Brittain, Ancient Philosophy 19, 1999 *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION; AGAINST THE ETHICISTS: TRANSLATION; COMMENTARY; APPENDICES; BIBLIOGRAPHY; INDEXES.
£57.00
Clarendon Press Inclusive Legal Positivism
Book SynopsisThis book develops a general, philosophical theory about the nature of law and its relationship with morality. Its central theoretical question is whether, in determining the extent of our legal rights and obligations, judges must appeal to moral principles and values. The author argues that they often do, and develops a philosophical theory which accomodates this fact.Trade Reviewmuch of Waluchow's book ably defends inclusive positivism ... Anyone wishing to see a well-argued defense of a legal theory that attempts to take legal phenomena at face value would do well to read Waluchow's book. * William H Wilcox, The Philosophical Review Vol 106 no1 (January 1997) *`The book is dense with argumentation ... Its richness may be a result of the fact that many of the chapters resulted from academic articles which hold their own as independent scholarly contributions but, the care with which many of the arguments have been crafted and systemized in the present work cannot be taken for granted ... Professor Waluchow has produced an insightful work which, I hope, would find space in our over-populated jurisprudence courses.' Legal StudiesThere are many insights and a very useful re-run of arguments about the nature of law, so unfashionable at present ... Waluchow's book is rich with ideas and examples and the general tenor is one of rigour ... it is an intelligent, rich and constructive contribution to the long-running debate about the place of moral judgement in law. * Cambridge Law Journal *'Waluchow writes clearly and succinctly throughout...this is a very impressive book, lucidly written with assiduous regard to the complexities of opponents' arguments. As well as pointing out the fallacies in much modern legal theory, Waluchow offers many fresh insights into theories with which we thought we were familiar. This book is a significant addition to the ongoing debate between positivists and natural lawyers.' * Mind *
£180.00
Clarendon Press Ethics in the Public Domain
Book SynopsisThis new collection of essays opens with a pivotal essay, not previously published, on the implications of the moral duties which arise out of concern for the well-being of others. The first part of the book concentrates on the consequences of two central aspects of well-being: the importance of membership in groups - the role of belonging - and the active character of well-being - that it largely consists in successful activities. Both aspects have far-reaching political implications, explored in essays on free expression, national self-determination, and multiculturalism, among others. Against the background of the moral and political views developed in the first part, the second part of the book explores various aspects of the dynamic inter-relations between law and morality, offering some building blocks towards a theory of law.Trade ReviewAn excellent exposure to Raz's recent thoughts ... Raz offers sharp opinions in clear and unpretentious prose * London Review of Books *Table of ContentsI: THE ETHICS OF WELL-BEING: POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS ; II: BETWEEN LAW AND MORALITY
£54.15
Oxford University Press, USA Positive Law and Objective Values
Book SynopsisThis book presents a comprehensive defence of legal positivism on the basis of a novel account of social conventions. Marmor argues that the law is founded on constitutive conventions, and that consequently moral values cannot determine what the law is.Trade Review... thought-provoking and philosophically sophisticated ... deserves attention from anyone interested in the philosophy of law ... [Marmor's] analysis of constitutive conventions is stimulating ... In an age tarnished by the fatuities of postmodernist mountebanks, his rigorous approach to the philosophy of law is admirable indeed. * The Cambridge Law Journal *Table of Contents1. Constitutive Conventions ; 2. Conventions and The Normativity of Law ; 3. Exclusive Legal Positivism ; 4. The Separation Thesis and The Limits of Interpretation ; 5. Authority and Authorship ; 6. Three Concepts of Objectivity ; 7. Four Questions about The Objectivity of Law ; 8. The Objectivity of Values ; Bibliography
£111.62
Oxford University Press, USA Fairness and Futurity Essays on Environmental Sustainability and Social Justice
Book SynopsisThe book brings together leading international figures in political theory and sociology, as well as representatives from the political community, to consider the normative issues at stake in the relationship between environmental sustainability and social justice.Trade ReviewA fruitful collaboration ... the volume exhibits a high degree of coherence of purpose. Its purpose, moreover, is not purely academic, but includes a concern to offer guidance for policy-makers ... cutting-edge contributions to this important new area of inquiry. * Environemental Values *A welcome contribution to the debate, especially to the complex relationship between sustainability and social justice ... this book is an important reading for all those who are genuinely interested in sustainability, sustainable development and social justice and their often problematic relationship. * Environmental Politics *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; PART ONE ; 1. Sustainable Development as a Contested Concept ; 2. Sustainability: Should We Start from Here? ; PART TWO ; 3. Sustainable Development and Our Obligations to Future ; 4. Sustainability and Intergenerational Justice ; 5. Ecology and Opportunity: Intergenerational Equity and Sustainable Options ; 6. Social Justice and Environmental Goods ; 7. An Extension of the Rawlsian Savings Principle to Liberal Theories of Justice in General ; 8. Sustainable Development and Accumulation of Capital: Reconciling the Irreconcilable ; PART THREE ; 9. Must the Poor pay More? Sustainable Development, Social Justice, and Environmental Taxation ; 10. Ecological Degradation: A Cause for Conflict, a Concern for Survival ; Index
£96.00
Oxford University Press Iris Murdoch Philosopher
Book SynopsisIris Murdoch was a notable philosopher before she was a notable novelist and her work was brave, brilliant, and independent. She made her name first for her challenges to Gilbert Ryle and behaviourism, and later for her book on Sartre (1953), but she had the greatest impact with her work in moral philosophy--and especially her book The Sovereignty of Good (1970). She turned expectantly from British linguistic philosophy to continental existentialism, but was dissatisfied there too; she devised a philosophy and a style of philosophy that were distinctively her own. Murdoch aimed to draw out the implications, for metaphysics and the conception of the world, of rejecting the standard dichotomy of language into the ''descriptive'' and the ''emotive''. She aimed, in Wittgensteinian spirit, to describe the phenomena of moral thinking more accurately than the ''linguistic behaviourists'' like R. M. Hare. This ''empiricist'' task could be acheived, Murdoch thought, only with help from the ideaTrade Review[this] fine collection of essays * Jonathan Derbyshire, Literary Review *[a] fine collection * Simon Blackburn, Times Literary Supplement *a milestone in the history of Murdoch scholarship * Megan J. Laverty, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *This book is so full of good things that it is difficult for a reviewer to know where to start or stop. * Hugo Meynell, The Heythrop Journal *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; Heidegger: Sein und Zeit ; Iris on Safari ; 1. Holy Fool and Magus ; 2. 'Faint with secret knowledge' ; 3. The Virtues of Metaphysics ; 4. Iris Murdoch and Existentialism ; 5. The Exploration of Moral Life ; 6. Iris Murdoch and the Prospects for Critical Moral Perception ; 7. Social Convention and Neurosis as Obstacles to Moral Freedom ; 8. Iris Murdoch on Nobility and Moral Value ; 9. For every Foot its own Shoe ; 10. Visual Metaphors in Iris Murdoch's Moral Philosophy ; 11. Psychopathy, Empathy, & Moral Motivation ; Bibliography ; Index of Names
£33.72
Oxford University Press Economics and the Virtues
Book SynopsisWhile ethics has been an integral part of economics since the days of Adam Smith (if not Aristotle), many modern economists dismiss ethical concerns in favor of increasing formal mathematical and computational methods. But recent financial crises in the real world have reignited discussions of the importance of ethics to economics, including growing calls for a new approach to incorporating moral philosophy in economic theory, practice, and policy. Ironically, it is the ethics of virtue advocated by Aristotle and Adam Smith that may lead to the most promising way to developing an economics that emphasizes the virtues, character, and judgment of the agents it models. In Economics and the Virtues, editors Jennifer A. Baker and Mark D. White have brought together fifteen leading scholars in economics and philosophy to offer fresh perspectives on integrating virtue into economics. The first section covers five major thinkers and schools in the virtue tradition, tracing historical connectioTrade ReviewWhat kinds of habits to markets engender? Does capitalism corrupt, or does it promote trust, cooperation, and the development of human excellance? Can economists really make sense of human behaviour without paying attention to questions of character? Jennifer A.Baker and Mark D.White's fascinating volume assembles a wide-raning roster of scholars who lay out the best current thinking on these questions in erudite yet readable prose. It turns out that economists do have much to learn from the rich moral psychology of Aristotle, the Stoics, Adam Smith, and Kant. It turns out that markets aren't so bad for the soul. This is an indispensable collection for anyone interested in moral psychology, economic theory, or the morality of markets. * Will Wilkinson, Vice President for the Policy, Niskanen Center and former writer for The Economist *Twentieth century economics sought rigour in models of rational choice, thereby bracketing concern with the goods that economic action can seek or undermine, and distancing economics from ethics. Economics and the Virtues is a rich and rewarding collection that brings together stimulating accounts of this loss and of some possibilities for retrieval. It explore classical accounts of the virtues, and argues that they remain essential not only to character but to culture, including the culture of markets' * Onora O'Neill, Baroness O'Neill of Bengarve, and Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, University of Cambridge *Table of ContentsPART I: APPROACHES TO VIRTUE AND ECONOMICS; PART II: VIRTUE AND ECONOMICS IN THEORY; PART III: VIRTUE AND ECONOMICS IN PRACTICE
£93.10
Oxford University Press Reasoning
Book SynopsisThinking about reasoning suffers from a failure of vision. Philosophers, social scientists, and others who discuss and analyze reasoning have a particular activity in view: reasoning to figure things out, solve problems, and reach judgments. But there is a different activity we engage in that we call reasoning. We reason in the course of living together, when we are responsive to those with whom we live and neither commanding nor deferring to them, neither manipulating nor ignoring them. Analysis of this second kind of activity has relied on the tools and frameworks developed to make sense of the first kind of activity. In this book, Anthony Simon Laden invites his readers to approach this activity of reasoning on its own terms. He claims that if we are to truly see and appreciate the role and value of reasoning in living together, we need a new, social picture of the activity of reasoning. According to the social picture of reasoning developed here, reasoning is a species of conversatTrade ReviewThis is a deeply thought and beautifully crafted book ... It offers a serious and substantial challenge to much contemporary thinking about reason in philosophy. But true to its ideal, Laden does not present it as a challenge but as an invitation to engage in some real reasoning about how we should understand the activity of reasoning * Simone Chambers, Contemporary Political Theory *Laden's argument is extremely rich in content and introduces This is a deeply thought and beautifully crafted book ... It offers a serious and substantial challenge to much contemporary thinking about reason in philosophy. But true to its ideal, Laden does not present it as a challenge but as an invitation to engage in some real reasoning about how we should understand the activity of reasoning * Simone Chambers, Contemporary Political TheoryTitus Stahl, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *Laden has offered us a very detailed and compelling social picture of reasoning . . . path-breaking. * Jonathan Havercroft, Political Theory *Table of ContentsPART I: AN ALTERNATIVE PICTURE; PART II: REASONING TOGETHER; PART III: RESPONDING
£34.67
Oxford University Press Empathy
Book SynopsisEmpathy has for a long time, at least since the eighteenth century, been seen as centrally important in relation to our capacity to gain a grasp of the content of other people''s minds, and predict and explain what they will think, feel, and do; and in relation to our capacity to respond to others ethically. In addition, empathy is seen as having a central role in aesthetics, in the understanding of our engagement with works of art and with fictional characters. A fuller understanding of empathy is now offered by the interaction of research in science and the humanities. Empathy: Philosophical and Psychological Perspectives draws together nineteen original chapters by leading researchers across several disciplines, together with an extensive Introduction by the editors. The individual chapters reveal how important it is, in a wide range of fields of enquiry, to bring to bear an understanding of the role of empathy in its various guises. This volume offers the ideal starting-point for tTrade ReviewI found the volume very stimulating and the breadth of discussion refreshing [...] I highly recommend it to people interested in empathy and empathy-related phenomena. * Heidi Lene Maibom, Mind *Table of ContentsSECTION I. EMPATHY AND MIND; SECTION II. EMPATHY AND AESTHETICS; SECTION III. EMPATHY AND MORALITY
£41.32
Oxford University Press A Metaphysics for Freedom
Book SynopsisA Metaphysics for Freedom argues that agency itself-and not merely the special, distinctively human variety of it-is incompatible with determinism. For determinism is threatened just as surely by the existence of powers which can be unproblematically accorded to many sorts of animals, as by the distinctively human powers on which the free will debate has tended to focus. Helen Steward suggests that a tendency to approach the question of free will solely through the issue of moral responsibility has obscured the fact that there is a quite different route to incompatibilism, based on the idea that animal agents above a certain level of complexity possess a range of distinctive ''two-way'' powers, not found in simpler substances. Determinism is not a doctrine of physics, but of metaphysics; and the idea that it is physics which will tell us whether our world is deterministic or not presupposes what must not be taken for granted-that is, that physics settles everything else, and that we arTrade ReviewProvocative to compatibilists and incompatibilists alike, Steward's book is a refreshing and important contribution to the ongoing metaphysical discussion of freedom. * The Review of Metaphysics *I would encourage all fellow libertarians to read this this book and take heart from the range, power and coherence of the arguments presented. Those arguments are excellent ammunition for future debates * Les Reid, Philosophy Now *Steward introduces a novel position in the freewill debate ... Anyone interested in mind and agency must read this book. * Clayton Littlejohn, TPM *Table of ContentsPreface ; 1. The Problem ; 2. 'Up to Us-ness', Agency and Determinism ; 3. Action as Settling: Some Objections ; 4. Animal Agency ; 5. The Epistemological Argument ; 6. Indeterminism and Intelligibility ; 7. Responding to the Challenge from Chance: Some Objections ; 8. Agency, Substance Causation, and Top-Down Causation ; Conclusion ; References ; Index
£36.09
Oxford University Press, USA Aristotle on the Apparent Good
Book SynopsisAristotle holds that we desire things because they appear good to us--a view still dominant in philosophy now. But what is it for something to appear good? Why does pleasure in particular tend to appear good, as Aristotle holds? And how do appearances of goodness motivate desire and action? No sustained study of Aristotle has addressed these questions, or even recognized them as worth asking. Jessica Moss argues that the notion of the apparent good is crucial to understanding both Aristotle''s psychological theory and his ethics, and the relation between them. Beginning from the parallels Aristotle draws between appearances of things as good and ordinary perceptual appearances such as those involved in optical illusion, Moss argues that on Aristotle''s view things appear good to us, just as things appear round or small, in virtue of a psychological capacity responsible for quasi-perceptual phenomena like dreams and visualization: phantasia (''imagination''). Once we realize that the apTrade Review"[an] excellent book" * Stephen Makin, Times Literary Supplement *Table of ContentsPART I: THE APPARENT GOOD; PART II: THE APPARENT GOOD AND NON-RATIONAL MOTIVATION; PART III: THE APPARENT GOOD AND RATIONAL MOTIVATION
£34.67
Oxford University Press, USA Responsibility and Distributive Justice
Book SynopsisUnder what conditions are people responsible for their choices and the outcomes of those choices? How could such conditions be fostered by liberal societies? Should what people are due as a matter of justice depend on what they are responsible for? For example, how far should healthcare provision depend on patients'' past choices? What values would be realized and which hampered by making justice sensitive to responsibility? Would it give people what they deserve? Would it advance or hinder equality? The explosion of philosophical interest in such questions has been fuelled by increased focus on individual responsibility in political debates. Political philosophers, especially egalitarians, have responded to such developments by attempting to map out the proper place for responsibility in theories of justice. Responsibility and Distributive Justice both reflects on these recent developments in normative political theory and moves the debate forwards. Written by established experts in tTrade ReviewThe essays in this collection illustrate the range of ways in which considerations of responsibility might be relevant to distributive justice, beyond narrow formulations of luck egalitarianism, and, as such, should be of interest to a wide range of readers ... the collection raises interesting questions over the correct characterization of luck egalitarianism, as well as over the relevance of economics and empirical findings to debates over responsibility-sensitive justice * Emily McTernan, Economics and Philosophy *The scope of the collection and the contributors' careful, rigorous discussions make this a very valuable contribution to the debate. * Kristin Voigt, Ethical Perspectives *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. Luck Egalitarianism - A Primer ; 2. 1. Justice, Equality, Fairness, Desert, Rights, Free Will, Responsibility, and Luck ; 3. Four Approaches to Equal Opportunity ; 4. Luck Egalitarianism and Group Responsibility ; 5. Responsibility and Respect: Reconciling Two Egalitarian Visions ; 6. Mad, Bad, or Faulty? Desert in Distributive and Retributive Justice ; 7. Responsibility, Desert, and Justice ; 8. Responsibility and False Beliefs ; 9. The Public Ecology of Responsibility ; 10. The Apparent Asymmetry of Responsibility ; 11. Taking Up the Slack? Responsibility and Justice in Situations of Partial Compliance ; 12. Luck Prioritarian Justice in Health ; 13. Individual and Social Responsibility for Health ; Bibliography
£35.14
Oxford University Press Meaning and Normativity
Book SynopsisWhat does talk of meaning mean? All thinking consists in natural happenings in the brain. Talk of meaning though, has resisted interpretation in terms of anything that is clearly natural, such as linguistic dispositions. This, Kripke''s Wittgenstein suggests, is because the concept of meaning is normative, on the ''ought'' side of Hume''s divide between is and ought. Allan Gibbard''s previous books Wise Choices, Apt Feelings and Thinking How to Live treated normative discourse as a natural phenomenon, but not as describing the world naturalistically. His theory is a form of expressivism for normative concepts, holding, roughly, that normative statements express states of planning. This new book integrates his expressivism for normative language with a theory of how the meaning of meaning could be normative. The result applies to itself: metaethics expands to address key topics in the philosophy of language, topics which in turn include core parts of metaethics. An upshot is to lessen tTrade ReviewThe book is rich in original ideas and arguments, and the topics canvassed or commented on are significant and bewildering in their number ... serious students of the relevant topics should find its study rewarding, and clearly it is essential reading for anyone working on meaning and normativity. * Teemu Toppinen, Ethics *the most ambitious and innovative attempt to explain meaning since Paul Horwich and Robert Brandom developed their theories in the nineties ... I hope that this splendid book will find a wide audience. It is wonderfully stimulating, opening up vast new territories for investigation. * Christopher S. Hill, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *Table of Contents1. Introduction ; 2. Normativity and Community ; 3. Kripke's Wittgenstein on Meaning ; 4. Correct Belief ; 5. Horwich on Meaning ; 6. The Normative Meaning Role ; 7. Reference, Truth, and Context ; 8. Meaning and Plans ; 9. Interpreting Interpretation ; 10. Expressivism, Non-Naturalism, and Us ; Appendix 1: The Objects of Belief ; Appendix 2: Schroeder on Expressivism ; References ; Index
£35.14
Oxford University Press Shaping the Normative Landscape
Book SynopsisShaping the Normative Landscape is an investigation of the value of obligations and of rights, of forgiveness, of consent and refusal, of promise and request. David Owens shows that these are all instruments by which we exercise control over our normative environment. Philosophers from Hume to Scanlon have supposed that when we make promises and give our consent, our real interest is in controlling (or being able to anticipate) what people will actually do and that our interest in rights and obligations is a by-product of this more fundamental interest. In fact, we value for its own sake the ability to decide who is obliged to do what, to determine when blame is appropriate, to settle whether an act wrongs us. Owens explores how we control the rights and obligations of ourselves and of those around us. We do so by making friends and thereby creating the rights and obligations of friendship. We do so by making promises and so binding ourselves to perform. We do so by consenting to medicTrade ReviewShaping the Normative Landscape is bound to shape the philosophical landscape, by contributing to particular philosophical debates and by introducing a new and exciting proposal about how we should understand our normative environment. * Alida Liberman, Ethics *Shaping the Normative Landscape does two important things. First, it shows how these two general approaches can be reconciled. Second, it shows that some intractable difficulties across a wide range of normative phenomena have both an underlying unity and elegant solution. More importantly, the solution itself is intuitively appealing. * Erin Taylor, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *Changes one's view of an important subject. * Allan Gibbard, The Times Literary Supplement *ambitious, instructive and sophisticated * Gerald Lang, Analysis *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION; PART ONE: INTERESTS; PART TWO: POWERS; PART THREE: PRACTICES
£33.72
Oxford University Press Cosmopolitan War
Book SynopsisWar is about individuals maiming and killing each other, and yet, it seems that it is also irreducibly collective, as it is fought by groups of people and more often than not for the sake of communal values such as territorial integrity and national self-determination. Cécile Fabre articulates and defends an ethical account of war in which the individual, as a moral and rational agent, is the fundamental focus for concern and respect--both as a combatant whose acts of killing need justifying and as a non-combatant whose suffering also needs justifying. She takes as her starting point a political morality to which the individual, rather than the nation-state, is central, namely cosmopolitanism. According to cosmopolitanism, individuals all matter equally, irrespective of their membership in this or that political community. Traditional war ethics already accepts this principle, since it holds that unarmed civilians are illegitimate targets even though they belong to the enemy community.Trade Reviewambitious and innovative * The Guardian *It is a landmark in the field. * Seth Lazar, Ethics *an excellent book which anyone interested in the morality of war ought to read. * Saba Bazargan, MIND *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. Cosmopolitanism ; 2. Collective Self-Defence ; 3. Subsistence Wars ; 4. Civil Wars ; 5. Humanitarian Intervention ; 6. Commodified wars ; 7. Asymmetrical Wars ; Conclusion ; Works cited ; Index
£33.24
Oxford University Press Law as a Leap of Faith
Book SynopsisHow do laws resemble rules of games, moral rules, personal rules, rules found in religious teachings, school rules, and so on? Are laws rules at all? Are they all made by human beings? And if so how should we go about interpreting them? How are they organized into systems, and what does it mean for these systems to have ''constitutions''? Should everyone want to live under a system of law? Is there a special kind of ''legal justice''? Does it consist simply in applying the law of the system? And how does it relate to the ideal of ''the rule of law''?These and other classic questions in the philosophy of law form the subject-matter of Law as a Leap of Faith. In this book John Gardner collects, revisits, and supplements fifteen years of celebrated writings on general questions about law and legal systems - writings in which he attempts, without loss of philosophical finesse or insight, to cut through some of the technicalities with which the subject has become encrusted in the late twentTrade ReviewEvery essay in this collection contains many interesting and important claims, insights, and speculations ... this is a most impressive book. * Brian H. Bix, Cambridge Law Journal *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. Law as a Leap of Faith ; 2. Legal Positivism: 5 1/2 Myths ; 3. Some Types of Law ; 4. Can There be a Written Constitution? ; 5. How Law Claims, What Law Claims ; 6. Nearly Natural Law ; 7. The Legality of Law ; 8. On the Supposed Formality of the Rule of Law ; 9. Hart on Legality, Justice, and Morality ; 10. The Virtue of Justice, the Character of Law ; 11. Law in General
£37.52
Oxford University Press, USA Massacres and Morality Mass Atrocities In An Age Of Civilian Immunity
Book SynopsisStarting with the French Revolution Massacres and Morality studies mass killing as perpetrated by states. In particular it examines the role that civilian immunity has played in shaping the behaviour of perpetrators and how international society has responded.Trade ReviewMassacres and Morality is a work of immense scholarship. The author, Alex Bellamy ... succeeds in weaving together histories and philosophies of civilian immunity across two centuries of war, terror, and destruction. * Tim Dunne, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. Civilian Immunity and the Politics of Legitimacy ; 2. State Terror in the Long-Nineteenth Century ; 3. Totalitarian Mass Killing ; 4. Terror Bombing in the Second World War ; 5. The Cold War Struggle (1): Capitalist Atrocities ; 6. The Cold War Struggle (2): Communist Atrocities ; 7. Atrocities and the 'Golden Age' of Humanitarianism ; 8. Radical Islamism and the War on Terror ; Conclusion
£41.79
Oxford University Press Kantian Ethics
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£99.00
Oxford University Press, USA Waging War A New Philosophical Introduction
Book SynopsisIn this re-written classic text, the author provides a critical review of the various different ways in which ethical debates about warfare are already framed, and asks probing questions about how we think about war, and the changes it is undergoing.Trade Reviewunashamedly bold and far-reaching, proudly concerned with the fundamentals of the discipline, making sense where previously there was very little of it. Ian Clark impresses with thorough knowledge of both the military and the philosophical-ethical dimensions of waging war and the ability to bring them together in a fashion that is both conceptual and immediately practical * LSE Review of Books *The book would make an excellent critical introduction for students of the ethics of war and political violence. * Political Studies Review *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. War: Concept and Conduct ; 2. Concepts of Just War ; 3. Concepts of Limited War ; 4. Concepts of Limited War ; 5. War: Symmetries and Asymmetries ; 6. War, Technology, and Conceptual Change ; Conclusion
£33.72
Oxford University Press Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Books VIII and IX
Book SynopsisIn Books VIII and IX of his masterpiece of moral philosophy, the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle gives perhaps the most famous of all philosophical discussions of friendship. Michael Pakaluk presents the first systematic study in English of these books, showing how important Aristotle''s treatment of friendship is to his ethics as a whole. Pakaluk''s fresh and scrupulously accurate translation is accompanied by a detailed philosophical commentary which reveals the remarkably coherent structure of the books and unfolds with lucidity the various arguments contained within Aristotle''s terse and compressed text. Pakaluk looks at the logical form of Aristotle''s analysis of friendship, at his subtle view of the relationship between friendship and justice, at the role of reciprocity in friendship, at civic friendship and its relation to the family, and at the development of friendship out of self-love and reflexive consciousness. This volume will be a valuable tool for anyone studying AristotTrade ReviewPakaluk's version is clear, regularly faithful to the Greek, and largely free of supplements that lack a clear warrant....He draws attention to difficulties that might be missed but that anyone who would want to understand Aristotle's text must face. * Review of Metaphysics *Table of ContentsPREFACE; TRANSLATION; COMMENTARY; APPENDICES; BIBLIOGRAPHY; GLOSSARY; INDEX
£55.10
Oxford University Press Immanuel Kant
Book SynopsisIn this classic text, Kant sets out to articulate and defend the Categorical Imperative - the fundamental principle that underlies moral reasoning - and to lay the foundation for a comprehensive account of justice and human virtues. This new edition and translation of Kant''s work is designed especially for students. An extensive and comprehensive introduction explains the central concepts of Groundwork and looks at Kant''s main lines of argument. Detailed notes aim to clarify Kant''s thoughts and to correct some common misunderstandings of his doctrines.Table of ContentsPART 1: INTRODUCTORY MATERIAL ; PART 2: THE TEXT
£34.99
Oxford University Press Ethics
Book SynopsisThe Oxford Philosophical Texts series consists of authoritative teaching editions of canonical texts in the history of philosophy from the ancient world down to modern times. Each volume provides a clear, well laid out text together with a comprehensive introduction by a leading specialist, giving the student detailed critical guidance on the intellectual context of the work and the structure and philosophical important of the main arguments and explain unfamiliar references and terminology, and a full bibliography and index are also included. The series aims to build up a definitive corpus of key texts in the Western philosophical tradition, which will from a reliable and enduring resource for students and teachers alike. Spinoza''s Ethics is one of the classical texts of philosophy but is also one of the most difficult to understand because of the author''s use of rigorous logical deduction and the geometrical framework within which his ideas are set. In Ethics, he discusses the natuTrade Review'Thanks to sound methodology and fidelity to the orignal text, this will be an invaluable asset to the scholar.' Bulletin SpinozisteTable of ContentsPART 1: INTRODUCTORY MATERIAL; PART 2: THE TEXT; ETHICS, DEMONSTRATED IN GEOMETRICAL ORDER; PART 3: SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL
£39.99
Oxford University Press, USA Aristotles Ethics
Book SynopsisDavid Bostock presents a fresh critical introduction to one of the great classics of moral philosophy. Aristotle''s Nicomachaen Ethics is and deserves to be his most widely studied work, for much of what it has to say is still important for today''s debate on the problems of ethics. In this new book, David Bostock guides the reader through explanations and evaluations of all the main themes of Aristotle''s work, paying due attention to questions of interpretation, and the differing views of a range of commentators. The emphasis is on the philosophical merits and demerits of the doctrines that emerge and these are critically discussed in simple and straightforward terminology.Each chapter concludes with suggestions for further reading on the themes and ideas discussed within the chapter, and the book finishes with an evaluation of the Ethics as a whole. Bostock provides the ideal companion to study of this great work, helping the reader to engage with its ideas and arguments as living pTrade ReviewDavid Bostock's study succeeds admirably in keeping the text in view from both angles: as a fairly idiosyncratic diagnosis of the intimations of a specific and often formidably distant culture, but also as a vigourous, sustained and illuminating piece of consecutive thinking, which protrudes imperiously into the most pressing puzzles and arguments of our day. ...it guides the student through Aristotle's main themes and arguments, sometimes to dismiss them abruptly, but never without first taking the trouble to grasp them accurately. ... Bostock's thoughtful, patient, decorous, deft and very Oxonian book would be the most instructive of companions * John Dunn, professor of political theory, University of Cambridge *'helpful and original discussions of particular passages' MindTable of ContentsTHE GOOD FOR MAN: FIRST DISCUSSION (BOOK I); VIRTUES OF CHARACTER (BOOK II); JUSTICE (BOOK V); VIRTUES OF INTELLECT (BOOK VI); RESPONSIBILITY (III.1); SELF-CONTROL; PLEASURE (VII.11-14, X.1-5); FRIENDSHIP (BOOKS VIII-IX); THE GOOD FOR MAN: SECOND DISCUSSION (X.6-8); ARISTOTLE'S METHODS IN ETHICS; CONCLUDING REMARKS; REFERENCES; INDEX LOCORUM; GENERAL INDEX
£49.99
Oxford University Press Conscience and Conviction
Book SynopsisOxford Legal Philosophy publishes the best new work in philosophically-oriented legal theory. It commissions and solicits monographs in all branches of the subject, including works on philosophical issues in all areas of public and private law, and in the national, transnational, and international realms; studies of the nature of law, legal institutions, and legal reasoning; treatments of problems in political morality as they bear on law; and explorations in the nature and development of legal philosophy itself. The series represents diverse traditions of thought but always with an emphasis on rigour and originality. It sets the standard in contemporary jurisprudence.This book shows that civil disobedience is generally more defensible than private conscientious objection.Part I explores the morality of conviction and conscience. Each of these concepts informs a distinct argument for civil disobedience. The conviction argument begins with the communicative principle of conscientiousnesTrade ReviewIn Conscience and Conviction: The Case for Civil Disobedience, Kimberly Brownlee provides a strong, well-argued theoretical justification of conscientious objection and civil disobedience... It is noteworthy that Brownlees careful consideration of numerous objections and her well-reasoned replies clearly demonstrates her deep commitment to scholarly dialogue. * Mark Wicclair, Journal of Moral Philosophy *In her excellent new book Conscience and Conviction: The Case for Civil Disobedience, Kimberley Brownlee boldly contends that all else equal a court of law should neither convict nor punish such offenders. Perhaps the book's most outstanding feature is the moral sensitivity Brownlee displays throughout; this book does not merely contain an account of conscience-it exemplifies the exercise of one. Anyone who chooses to engage with Brownlee's book will be well rewarded for his or her decision to do so. * David Lefkowitz, Criminal Law and Philosophy *Kimberley Brownlee's marvellous book Conscience and Conviction offers an original and powerful defence of civil disobedience. * William Smith, Criminal Law and Philosophy *Kimberley Brownlee's Conscience and Conviction is the most systematic philosophical account we possess of the place of civil disobedience in liberal democratic theory. Actually, it is much more than that. It is a subtle and humane articulation of the notion of conscience itself, and a deep and searching exploration of the changes that would be wrought in our professional lives and in our lives as citizens were the claims of conscience to be taken seriously. * Daniel Weinstock, Criminal Law and Philosophy *In her thorough, careful and insightful discussion, Kimberley Brownlee explores the nature of conscience and conscientious convictions and draws important conclusions concerning the justifiable protection of acts of civil disobedience... Brownlee has made an important contribution to the literature on civil disobedience. Her contribution will be a starting point for the future philosophical discussion of conscience and the protection of conscience in a liberal society. * Alon Harel, Notre Dame Philosophical Review *Brownlee's impressive book provides an original, attractive and thought-provoking take on civil disobedience, inspired by a humanistic and essentially social vision of human beings: not simply pursuing their good in isolation from one another, but actively inquiring into how they ought to live, and doing so in deliberation with their fellow citizens. * Christopher Bennett, Public Law *Kimberly Brownlee's Conscience and Conviction is a major contribution to how we should think about conscientious objection and civil disobedience that is both distinctive and innovative ... This book should be of great interest to anyone with interest in these specific issues, or in political and legal philosophy more generally. * Thom Brooks, Law and Philosophy *Kimberley Brownlee's fine bookcelebrates civil disobedience as a potentially vital element in a healthy liberal democracy. She confronts a wide range of the standard objections with confidence, care, clarity and argumentative rigour... her book should become a key work to consult on the topic. * C.A.J. Coady, The Journal of Value Inquiry *Table of ContentsI. MORALITY; II. LAW
£34.19
Oxford University Press Intersections of Value
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£69.50
Oxford University Press Semantics for Reasons
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£55.80
Oxford University Press Aristotle on the Sources of the Ethical Life Oxford Aristotle Studies Series
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£67.50
Oxford University Press How to Be Trustworthy
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£30.59
Oxford University Press Law and Morality at War Oxford Legal Philosophy
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£52.68
Clarendon Press The Moral Demands of Affluence
Book SynopsisHow much are we morally required to do to help people who are much worse off than us? On any credible moral outlook, other people''s pressing need for assistance can ground moral requirements on us to help them---requirements of beneficence. How far do those requirements extend?One way to think about this is by means of a simple analogy: an analogy between joining in efforts to help people at a distance and rescuing a needy person yourself, directly. Part I of Garrett Cullity''s book examines this analogy. In some ways, the analogy is not only simple, but politically and metaphysically simplistic. However, it contains an important truth: we are morally required to help other people, indirectly as well as directly. But the number of needy people in the world is enormous, and their need is very great. Once we start to recognize requirements to help them, when is it morally acceptable to stop? Cullity answers this question in Part II. Examining the nature of beneficence, he argues that itTrade ReviewReview from previous edition How much money and time does morality oblige the relatively affluent to devote to the relief of poverty, suffering, and other disadvantages? Anyone who finds this question remotely important should read Garrett Cullity's meticulous, even-handed treatment. The publication of this monograph signals the continuing emergence of a normative orientation that one might call "beneficence theory". . . . Many philosophers are attracted to the arguments which Cullity . . . dismantles. They will learn from him. By treating well-chosen opposing views so carefully and thoroughly, the book also rewards those who reject the author's ultimate conclusions. . . . the book offers something for nearly everyone. . . . the chapters are well-organized and clearly written. An advanced undergraduate with an ethics background should be able to follow them, and will gain a sophisticated overview of this vital area. * Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *Cullity has presented us with a thorough, detailed, and serious argument ... an important contribution to the discussion of this issue. * James R. Otteson, Journal of Value Inquiry *Table of Contents1. The Life-Saving Analogy ; 2. An Argument from Beneficence ; 3. Objections to Aid ; 4. Saving Lives ; 5. The Extreme Demand ; 6. Problems of Demandingness ; 7. Impartiality, Fairness, and Beneficence ; 8. The Rejection of the Extreme Demand ; 9. Permission ; 10. Requirement ; 11. Overview ; Appendix 1: Poverty and Aid ; Appendix 2: The Cost of Saving a Life
£50.35
Clarendon Press Common Minds Themes from the Philosophy of Philip Pettit
Table of ContentsPreface ; 1. Beyond Program Explanation ; 2. Mental Causation on the Program Model ; 3. Can Hunter-Gatherers Hear Colour ; 4. Structural Irrationality ; 5. Freedom, Coercion and Discursive Control ; 6. Conversability and Deliberation ; 7. Pettit's Molecule ; 8. Contestatory Citizenship; Deliberative Denizenship ; 9. Crime, Responsibility and Institutional Design ; 10. Disenfranchised Silence ; Joining the Dots ; Index
£115.00
Oxford University Press Intelligent Virtue
Book SynopsisIntelligent Virtue presents a distinctive new account of virtue and happiness as central ethical ideas. Annas argues that exercising a virtue involves practical reasoning of a kind which can illuminatingly be compared to the kind of reasoning we find in someone exercising a practical skill. Rather than asking at the start how virtues relate to rules, principles, maximizing, or a final end, we should look at the way in which the acquisition and exercise of virtue can be seen to be in many ways like the acquisition and exercise of more mundane activities, such as farming, building or playing the piano. This helps us to see virtue as part of an agent''s happiness or flourishing, and as constituting (wholly, or in part) that happiness. We are offered a better understanding of the relation between virtue as an ideal and virtue in everyday life, and the relation between being virtuous and doing the right thing.Trade ReviewIntelligent Virtue is engaging, stimulating, and suggestive. Anyone interested in eudaimonist virtue approaches to ethics will be rewarded by giving it a careful readespecially critics, whose arguments against such approaches are often off-target. A careful, attentive, and sympathetic read of Intelligent Virtue will not only be rewarding for its own sake, but will help critics formulate more appropriate criticisms of eudaimonist virtue approaches. * Anne Baril, Mind *written with such lucid simplicity that any reader of the TLS who has been sufficiently interested to read this far should find it enjoyable, instructive and inspiring * Rosalind Hursthouse, Times Literary Supplement *an attractive account both of what virtue is and how it is connected to happiness and the good. The Aristotelian picture Annas provides is appealing in its own right, and because of its clarity and accessibility is also especially useful as an introduction to virtue and eudaimonism for those who teach about ethics * Erica Lucast Stonestreet, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *With direct and simple prose, and a refreshingly unpretentious tone ... the connections Annas forges between virtue and happiness (eudaimonia) are fascinating ... Intelligent Virtue is all the more worth reading precisely because it does invite us to engage in a critical dialogue with the themes and ideas it proffers. Let us then recline in comfort, open a bottle of fine Italian and be part of the conversation. Bene Vita! * Brian K. Cameron, Philosophy in Review *essential reading for anyone interested in defending (or criticizing) eudaimonist, virtue-centered ethical theories ... is sure to set the agenda for the development of such theories in the years to come. ... Intelligent Virtue is engaging, stimulating, and suggestive. Anyone interested in eudaimonist virtue apporaches to ethics will be rewarded by giving it a careful read - especially critics, whose arguments against such approaches are often off-target. A careful, attentive, and sympathetic read of Intelligent Virtue will not only be rewarding for its own sake, but will help critics formulate more appropriate criticisms of eudaimonist virtue approaches. * Anne Baril, Mind *Table of ContentsPreface ; 1. Introduction ; 2. Virtue, Character, and Disposition ; 3. Skilled and Virtuous Action ; 4. The Scope of Virtue ; 5. Virtue and Enjoyment ; 6. Virtues and the Unity of Virtue ; 7. Virtue and Goodness ; 8. Living Happily ; 9. Living Virtuously, Living Happily ; 10. Conclusion
£33.59
Oxford University Press Global Justice
Book SynopsisGillian Brock develops a viable cosmopolitan model of global justice that takes seriously the equal moral worth of persons, yet leaves scope for defensible forms of nationalism and for other legitimate identifications and affiliations people have. Brock addresses two prominent kinds of skeptic about global justice: those who doubt its feasibility and those who believe that cosmopolitanism interferes illegitimately with the defensible scope of nationalism by undermining goods of national importance, such as authentic democracy or national self-determination. The model addresses concerns about implementation in the world, showing how we can move from theory to public policy that makes progress toward global justice. It also makes clear how legitimate forms of nationalism are compatible with commitments to global justice. Global Justice is divided into three central parts. In the first, Brock defends a cosmopolitan model of global justice. In the second, which is largely concerned with puTrade ReviewBrock develops an account of justice that demands serious consideration as an alternative to accounts defending and employing Rawlsian principles. It is also an approach that is distinct from Thomas Pogge's human rights based approach, Peter Singer's utilitarianism, and David Miller's moderate nationalism. The book occupies then an important place in the range of philosophical positions taken on matters of global justice. In addition, its policy recommendations merit attention. Many will prove useful to practical efforts to advance the cause of justice globally... The breadth of research into policy debates is very impressive and a significant intellectual accomplishment. * Darrel Moellendorf, Journal of Global Ethics *Gillian Brock's Global Justice is a welcome addition to the burgeoning literature on international ethics. For a number of years now, Brock has concentrated on this theoretically vexing and practically important area, and, as this book amply demonstrates, she is among the most sophisticated and informed theorists working on this topic. * Christopher Heath Wellman, Mind *[An] important new book. * David Miller, Journal of Global Ethics *an impressive and thought-provoking book ... It is a work of breathtaking ambition which does not shy away from, or deny, the complexities of public policy issues. * Geoffrey Cupit, Australasian Journal of Philosophy *the central section of the book contains many ideas that perform a real service in dispelling unfounded doubts about both the feasibility and measurability of progress towards goals of global distributive justice... Brock's development of a 'democratic equality' variant of global egalitarianism is a worthwhile and welcome addition to a literature which has thus far concentrated largely on 'globalizing' egalitarian ideals such as the difference principle, fair equality of opportunity, or luck equality * Chris Armstrong, Journal of Global Ethics *Brock has offered a wide-ranging treatment of important theoretical and practical issues that will be helpful to many of us who are interested in the topic... Brock has offered a tremendously valuable contribution to the literature on global justice... By integrating theoretical and practical concerns, she is bringing together two groups who do not often engage one another, an approach to the study of global justice that is well worth pursuing * Brodi Kemp, Ethics *Gillian Brock's Global Justice: A Cosmopolitan Account should become a classic in the global justice literature... a brilliant book... clearly one of the most important works on global justice today. * Australian Journal of Legal Philosophy *[an] excellent, well written and scholarly book * Len Doyal, Philosophical Quarterly *a laudable attempt... to force philosophers and others to engage in a more productive discussion about the possibilities for a just global order... [this] book advances the discussion of global justice in a number of ways. * Janna Thompson, Philosophy in Review *an informative, stimulating, and original read * Rekha Nath , Global Justice, Ethics and International Affairs *a rich and complex monograph which seeks to contribute to the fast-growing literature on global justice... shows mastery of the relevant literature and contains important insights. * Laura Valentini, Ethical Theory and Moral Practice *a fascinating and powerful work about what can and ought to be done to achieve a better future for our species * Joe Oppenheimer, Ethica Revista Internacional de Filofia da Moral *the starting point of a new and interesting phase in the debates on global justice. * Idil Boran, Dialogue: Canadian Philosophical Review *Brock's book offers a sustained, innovative and well-informed discussion of many issues that interest both normative political theorists and more policy-minded scholars... both to be imitated and applauded. The global justice debate is still finding its way between realism and utopia. But the search is now more complex and sophisticated than ever before. * Lea Ypi, Res Publica *a well-organized, tightly argued book about the virtues of her theoretical, cosmopolitan mode of global justice * A.S. Rosenblum, Choice *There is an increasing literature today on cosmopolitanism and global justice in the disciplines of philosophy and international relations. Global Justice: A Cosmopolitan Account consolidates and extends Gillian Brock's important contributions to this literature... Brock has gone a long way towards elucidating a cosmopolitan foundation for the norms of global justice. * Ethics & Global Politics *Clearly Brock has been in pursuit of a powerful argument that has driven these individual studies, and in this book she brings them into an impressive synthesis... this impressive book is also a passionate one. * The Political Quarterly *a pleasure to read - clearly written and carefully argued ... The scope of the project and the care with which it has been executed make this book one of teh most important recent contributions to this most important topic. * Clark Wolf, Political Studies Review *Table of ContentsPART I: THEORY ; PART II: MOVING FROM THEORY TO PUBLIC POLICY: CLOSING THE GAP BETWEEN THEORY AND PRACTICE ; PART III: FROM PUBLIC POLICY BACK TO THEORY
£53.20
Oxford University Press, USA David Hume
Book SynopsisRussell Hardin presents a new explication of David Hume''s moral and political theory. With Hume, he holds that our normative views can be scientifically explained but they cannot be justified as true. Hume argued for the psychological basis of such views. In particular, he argued for sympathy as the mirroring of the psychological sensations and emotions of others. By placing Hume in the developing tradition of social science, as a strong forerunner of his younger friend Adam Smith, Hardin demonstrates Hume''s strong strategic sense, his nascent utilitarianism, his powerful theory of convention as a main source of social and political order, and his recognition of moral and political theory as a single enterprise.Trade ReviewWorthy of hearty recommendation. * Lee Hardy, The Review of Metaphysics *Table of ContentsPreface ; 1. Hume's Place in History ; 2. Moral Psychology ; 3. Strategic Analysis ; 4. Convention ; 5. Political Theory ; 6. Justice As Order ; 7. Utilitarianism ; 8. Value Theory ; 9. Retrospective ; References ; Endnotes
£95.00
OUP Oxford The Oxford Handbook of Contemporary Philosophy
Book SynopsisOxford Handbooks offer authoritative and up-to-date surveys of original research in a particular subject area. Specially commissioned essays from leading figures in the discipline give critical examinations of the progress and direction of debates. Oxford Handbooks provide scholars and graduate students with compelling new perspectives upon a wide range of subjects in the humanities and social sciences. The Oxford Handbook of Contemporary Philosophy is the definitive guide to what''s going on in this lively and fascinating subject. Jackson and Smith, themselves two of the world''s most eminent philosophers, have assembled more than thirty distinguished scholars to contribute incisive and up-to-date critical surveys of the principal areas of research. The coverage is broad, with sections devoted to moral philosophy, social and political philosophy, philosophy of mind and action, philosophy of language, metaphysics, epistemology, and philosophy of the sciences. This Handbook will be a riTrade ReviewReview from previous edition Seven sections covering morals, politics, mind, language, metaphysics, knowledge and science make it as serious and thorough as a survey could be. . . . To anyone prepared for the climb, the handbook promises a commanding view. * The Economist *Table of ContentsI. MORAL PHILOSOPHY ; II. SOCIAL AND POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY ; III. PHILOSOPHY OF MIND AND ACTION ; IV. PHILOSOPHY OF LANGUAGE ; V. METAPHYSICS ; VI. EPISTEMOLOGY ; VII. PHILOSOPHY OF THE SCIENCES
£43.69
Oxford University Press Choosing Children
Book SynopsisGenetic and reproductive technology now offers us the possibility of choosing what kinds of children we do and don't have. Should we welcome this power, or should we fear its implications? The renowned moral philosopher and best-selling author Jonathan Glover suggests how we should try to deal with this urgent problem.Trade ReviewGlover's book is informative, argumentative and well structured. * Daniel Loewe Medicine Health Care and Philosophy *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. Disability and Genetic Choice ; Disability and Human Flourishing ; Eugenics? ; 2. Parental Choice and What We Owe to Our Children ; The Boundaries of Parental Choice ; Two Dimensions of Ethics ; What do We Owe to Our Children? A Decent Chance of a Good Life ; What do We Owe to Our Children? Respect for Identity and Autonomy ; 3. Human Values and Genetic Design ; The Genetic Supermarket, Inequality, and Entrapment ; Should We Defend a Central Core of Human Nature? ; The Further Future
£29.92
Clarendon Press Ruling Passions
Book SynopsisSimon Blackburn puts forward a compelling original philosophy of human motivation and morality. He maintains that we cannot get clear about ethics until we get clear about human nature. So these are the sorts of questions he addresses: Why do we behave as we do? Can we improve? Is our ethics at war with our passions, or is it an upshot of those passions? Blackburn seeks the answers in an exploration of guilt, shame, disgust, and other moral emotions; he draws also on game theory and cognitive science in his account of the structures of human motivation. Many philosophers have wanted a naturalistic ethics a theory that integrates our understanding of human morality with the rest of our understanding of the world we live in. What is special about Blackburn''s naturalistic ethics is that it does not debunk the ethical by reducing it to the non-ethical. At the same time he banishes the spectres of scepticism and relativism that have haunted recent moral philosophy. Ruling Passions sets ethTrade ReviewExecuted with Blackburn's characteristic witty eloquence, with stylish literary references and many examples * Mind *Blackburn brings an amplitude of implicit thought, and an appeal to general experience, which give his case an authoritative force and persuasion beyond its technical and detailed arguments * The Cambridge Quarterly *This book is that rare thing: a work of philosophy beautifully written, able to engage the interest of those outside a narrow sphere of academic specialists, while attending to philosophical problems that most worry those who spend their professional life trying to solve them * Ethics *Blackburn's stimulating book makes a lively contribution. People interested in the issues it addresses will read it with profit * Samuel Scheffler, Times Literary Supplement *A fascinating book that seeks to clarify what we are doing when we make moral judgments * Philosophy *Ruling Passions gives us our humanity, providing some answers to those sceptics who find Kantian morality devoid of psychological realism * Alex Klaushoefer, Times Higher Education Supplement *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. Organizing Practice: The Elements of Ethics ; 2. Things That Concern Us ; 3. The Ethical Proposition: What It Is Not ; 4. Naturalizing Norms ; 5. Looking Out For Yourself ; 6. Game Theory and Rational Actors ; 7. The Good, the Right, and the Common Point of View ; 8. Self-Control, Reason, and Freedom ; 9. Relativism, Subjectivism, Knowledge ; Appendix ; Bibliography ; Index
£35.62
Oxford University Press, USA The Moral and Political Status of Children
Book SynopsisThe book contains original essays by distinguished moral and political philosophers on the topic of the moral and political status of children. It covers the themes of children's rights, parental rights and duties, the family and justice, and civic education.Trade Review... provides a provocative philosophical contribution to the present theorization on children's rights. It is useful because, in a time when policy-wise children's rights are gaining increasing dominance, it presents perspectives that suggest potential theoretical and practical deficits. The presentation of different arguments helps to refine the reader's own views, whatever his or her theoretical or policy position. * Contemporary Political Theory *... essential reading ... The book adds to the literature by moving certain debates forward, with more nuanced and often more challenging considerations of children's rights and autonomy. * Contemporary Political Theory *Each chapter in this volume makes a significant contribution to the literature on children's rights. It should be considered essential reading for anyone seriously concerned with the complex issues surrounding the moral and legal status of children. * Philosophical Quarterly *... anyone interested in tackling the philosophical issues concerning children and parents would do well to consult this book. * Political Studies Review *The moral and political status of children and the rights and duties of parents are subjects that have enjoyed renewed political and philosophical interest in recent years, and this collection addresses the principal questions with admirable clarity and subtlety. * Political Studies Review *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; I. CHILDREN AND RIGHTS ; Do Children Have Rights? ; What Rights (If Any) Do Children Have? ; Children's Choices of Children's Interests: Which Do Their Rights Protect? ; Being versus Becoming: A Critical Analysis of the Child in Liberal Theory ; II. AUTONOMY AND EDUCATION ; Special Agents: Children's Autonomy and Parental Authority ; Autonomy, Child Rearing, and Good Lives ; Children, Multiculturalism, and Education ; Answering Susan: Liberalism, Civic Education, and the Status of Younger Persons ; III. CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND JUSTICE ; Silver Spoons and Golden Genes: Talent Differentials and Distributive Justice ; Equality and the Duties of Procreators ; Liberal Equality and the Affective Family ; What Children Really Need: Towards a Critical Theory of Family Structure ; Family, Choice, and Distributive Justice
£170.00
Oxford University Press, USA Criminal Law Theory Doctrines of the General Part Oxford Monographs on Criminal Law and Justice
Book SynopsisWritten by leading philosophers and lawyers from the United States and the United Kingdom, this collection of original essays offers new insights into a range of principles of criminality. It advances our understanding of such key issues as what amounts to a criminal act or omission, the state of mind of the perpetrator, and defences.Trade ReviewThe essays are philosophically sophisticated and tightly argued. * Legal Studies *The combined efforts of these authors address some of the fundamental 'general part' debates that underlie the specific offences that make up the criminal law ... it does successfully take the reader beyond definitional questions of the specific type of offence to ask philosophical questions of the moral and social underpinnings of our conception of criminality, that have application in criminal practice. * Modern Law Review *Table of ContentsGENERAL EDITOR'S PREFACE ; PREFACE ; THE CONTRIBUTERS ; 1. On the General Part in Criminal Law ; 2. Limitations on Criminalization and the General Part of Criminal Law ; 3. Rule Violations and Wrongdoings ; 4. The Modern General Part: Three Illusions ; 5. Making Criminal Law Known ; 6. Criminal Liability for Omissions - An Inventory of Issues ; 7. Involuntary Crimes, Voluntarily Committed ; 8. Knowledge and Belief in the Criminal Law ; 9. Knowledge, Belief and Culpability ; 10. Recklessness and the Duty to Take Care ; 11. Battered Women Who Kill Their Sleeping Tormentors: Reflections on Maintaining Respect for Human Life While Killing Moral Monsters ; 12. Killing the Passive Abuser: A Theoretical Defence ; 13. Testing Fidelity to Legal Values: Official Involvement and Criminal Justice ; INDEX
£130.00
Clarendon Press Weighing Lives
Book SynopsisWe are often faced with choices that involve the weighing of people''s lives against each other, or the weighing of lives against other good things. These are choices both for individuals and for societies. A person who is terminally ill may have to choose between palliative care and more aggressive treatment, which will give her a longer life but at some cost in suffering. We have to choose between the convenience to ourselves of road and air travel, and the lives of the future people who will be killed by the global warming we cause, through violent weather, tropical disease, and heat waves. We also make choices that affect how many lives there will be in the future: as individuals we choose how many children to have, and societies choose tax policies that influence people''s choices about having children. These are all problems of weighing lives.How should we weigh lives? Weighing Lives develops a theoretical basis for answering this practical question. It extends the work and methoTrade ReviewNumerous publications grapple with the value of life, but Weighing Lives is more important and more substantial than most. In an area in which many authors content themselves with a gallimaufry of peculiar moral intuitions, Broome digs deep and argues with rigour. * TLS *An engrossing book which is a model of clarity, elegance, and rigour. Written, as good philosophy should be, as a contribution to a joint enterprise, it sets out a bold position in a way that invites further discussion and provides a platform for the development of diverging views. It should serve as the reference-point for future theorizing about population ethics in particular, and the aggregation of well-being more generally. * Garrett Cullity, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *Table of Contents1. Weighing lives ; 2. Some technical matters ; 3. Right and good ; 4. Features of Goodness ; 5. Quantities of lifetime wellbeing ; 6. Quantities of temporal wellbeing ; 7. Separability of times ; 8. Separability of lives ; 9. Same-number aggregation ; 10. The neutral level for existence ; 11. Nonstandard betterness ; 12. Indeterminate betterness ; 13. Separability of people ; 14. The standardized total principle ; 15. Same-lifetime aggregation ; 16. A life worth living ; 17. The value of a life ; 18. The theory of weighing lives ; Bibliography ; Index
£106.88
Oxford University Press The Rights of War and Peace
The Rights of War and Peace is the first fully historical account of the formative period of modern theories of international law. It sets the scene with an extensive history of the theory of international relations from antiquity down to the seventeenth century. Professor Tuck then examines the arguments over the moral basis for war and international aggression, and links the debates to the writings of the great political theorists such as Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Kant.This is not only an account of international law: as Professor Tuck shows, ideas about inter-state relations were central to the formation of modern liberal political theory, for the best example the kind of agent which liberalism presupposes was provided by the modern state. As a result the book illuminates the presuppositions behind much current political theory, and puts into a new perspective the connection between liberalism and imperialism.
£50.35
Clarendon Press Ideal Code Real World
Book SynopsisWhat are appropriate criteria for assessing a theory of morality? In Ideal Code, Real World, Brad Hooker begins by answering this question, and then argues for a rule-consequentialist theory. According to rule-consequentialism, acts should be assessed morally in terms of impartially justified rules, and rules are impartially justified if and only if the expected overall value of their general internalization is at least as great as for any alternative rules. In the course of developing his rule-consequentialism, Hooker discusses impartiality, well-being, fairness, equality, the question of how the ''general internalization'' of rules is to be interpreted by rule-consequentialism, and the main objections to rule-consequentialism. He also discusses the social contract theory of morality, act-consequentialism, and the question of which moral prohibitions and which duties to help others rule-consequentialism endorses. The last part of the book considers the implications of rule-consequentiTrade ReviewIf you think rule-consequentialism was refuted years ago, then this book will give you serious reason to change your mind. Even if you don't think that, I bet your arguments are not as good as those in Brad Hooker's book... a model of lucidity, elegance, economy, and consideration for the reader. This book is a superb accomplishment. * Andrew Moore, Australasian Journal of Philosophy *very well-written, extremely clear and, given its wealth of content, wonderfully concise. It deserves to be very widely read and extensively discussed. * James Lenman, Philosophical Books *Ideal Code, Real World is an admirably honest and intellectually rigorous attempt to defend ideal code consequentialism. The book is striking in its comprehensiveness, not that it covers everything, but that it discusses enough issues of different sorts that the discerning reader will know how to apply the argumentative strategy to other issues. In this regard, the book should prove highly valuable in both graduate and undergraduate courses dedicated to the structure of moral theory. * George Harris, Ethics *Brad Hooker's book is excellent. It offers a novel theory. It is well argued and fun to read. I highly recommend it to my colleagues. I also think that it would be a very good book to use in an upper-division ethical theory course, or a graduate course on ethical theory. * Julia Driver, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *This book seems to me the best statement and defence, so far, of one of the most important moral theories. * Derek Parfit, University of Oxford *All in all, Ideal Code, Real World is a truly first-rate work in moral philosophy. Hooker's writing is clear and succinct, and his argumentation is powerful. This book is a major contribution to normative moral theory, simply 'must' reading for anyone interested in ethics. * Mark Timmons, Philosophy and Phenomenological Research *has the special virtue of being both intelligible to general readers and powerful enough to advance the subject for specialists... an indispensable resource for anyone seriously assessing the major theoretical alternatives in normative ethics. * Robert Audi, Utilitas *The book passes succinctly from meta-ethical innovations, through detailed comparisons with other major moral theories to a series of provocative real world applications... This is the best available interpretation of the collective strand of the Consequentialist tradition. * Tim Mulgan, Philosophical Quarterly *Hooker's book covers a lot of ground, and does so in a stimulating and often convincing way * THEORIA, A Swedish Journal of Philosophy *Scanlon did us a great service by articulating a contractualist conception of right and wrong and Hooker matches him in providing an up-to-date, up-to-the-mark version of the rule-consequentialist alternative * Philip Pettit, Times Literary Supplement *This is a lucidly written and skillfully argued book by a thoughtful, discerning, and fair-minded philosopher with an enviable command of the relevant literature. Anyone interested in consequentialism or, indeed, in ethical theory generally should read it * William Shaw, MIND *Table of Contents1. Introduction ; 2. What are the rules to promote? ; 3. Questions of formulation ; 4. Is rule-consequentialism guilty of collapse or incoherence? ; 5. Predictability and convention ; 6. Prohibitions and special obligations ; 7. Act-consequentialism ; 8. Rule-consequntialism and doing good for the world ; 9. Help with practical problems ; Afterword ; Notes ; References ; Index
£50.35
Oxford University Press, USA In Defense of Legal Positivism
Book SynopsisIn Defense of Legal Positivism is an uncompromising defence of legal positivism that insists on the separability of law and morality. After distinguishing among three facets of morality, Matthew Kramer explores a variety of ways in which law has been perceived as integrally connected to each of those facets.Some of the chapters pose arguments against other major theorists such as David Lyons, Lon Fuller, Joseph Raz, Michael Detmold, Ronald Dworkin, Nigel Simmonds, John Finnis, Philip Soper, neil McCormick, gerald Postema, Stephen Perry, and Michael Moore, while others extend rather than defend legal positivism; they refine the insights of legal positivism and develop the implications of those insights in strikingly novel directions. The book concludes with a detailed discussion of the obligation to obey the lae- a discussion that highlights the strengths of legal positivism in the domain of political philosophy as much as in the domain of jurisprudence.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition Kramer's analysis is detailed, thoroughgoing and comprehensive. He lays bare the fundamental disagreements between positivist and anti-positivist theorists, and in the process promotes a richer understanding of the view he seeks to defend. * Philosophical Quarterly *Matthew Kramer, with characteristic vigour and analytical force, presents a staunch defense of positivism against many popular forms of idealism and rejects many of the concessions that positivism has made to idealism....Kramer's defence of legal positivism is a powerful synthesis of the ideas of some of the most well-known expositors of the doctrine. Whilst his general approach is negative -- in that he attempts to provide rebuttals to many of the more popular idealist attacks on positivism -- he does present a positive thesis, and it is on this that attention is focused. His positive argument skilfully combines Hartian, Austinian and Hobbesian jurisprudence....Kramer's analyses make stimulating reading....[H]e manages to clear much dead wood from the debate concerning the moral content of law and provides interesting arguments to which thosen of a different persuasion will have to respond * Patrick Capps, Modern Law Review, Sept. 2000. *Kramer provides an exhaustive defense of legal positivism against those who attribute a necessary relationship between law and morality... [H]is argument is a useful counterweight to the predominance of liberal moralizing and American parochialism that plagues contemporary legal theorizing...Kramer thus performs a valuable reminder to his fellow legal theorists that the act of maintaining the law by judges can be as self-interested and hypocritical as can the partisan business of legislation. One hopes that legal scholars have not become too pious (or self-interested, for that matter) to take up Kramer's challenge. * The Law and Politics Book Review Vol.10 No.1 *Matthew Kramer's defence of legal positivism [is] densely and intelligently argued....[An] enormous investment of intellectual energy * Oxford Journal of Legal Studies *Matthew Kramer's recent defense of legal positivism [is] one of the clearest and most powerful analyses to appear in recent years. * Philip Soper *Table of ContentsPreface ; 1. Introduction ; PART I: POSITIVISM DEFENDED ; 2. Justice as Constancy ; 3. Scrupulousness Without Scruples: A Critique of Lon Fuller and His Defenders ; 4. Requirements, Reasons, and Raz: Legal Positivism and Legal Duties ; 5. The Law in Action: A Study in Good and Evil ; 6. Also Among the Prophets: Some Rejoinders to Ronald Dworkin's Attacks on Legal Positivism ; PART II: POSITIVISM EXTENDED ; 7. Disclaimers and Reassertions ; 8. Elements of a Conceptual Framework ; 9. Law and Order: Some Implications ; Index
£48.45
Clarendon Press Against Equality of Opportunity
Book SynopsisThese days almost everyone seems to think it obvious that equality of opportunity is at least part of what constitutes a fair society. At the same time they are so vague about what equality of opportunity actually amounts to that it can begin to look like an empty term, a convenient shorthand for the way jobs (or for that matter university places, or positions of power, or merely places on the local sports team) should be allocated, whatever that happens to be.Matt Cavanagh offers a highly provocative and original new view, suggesting that the way we think about equality and opportunity should be radically changed.Trade ReviewThis book is an ambitious and provocative challenge to meritocracy and equality, two foundations of equality theory. In questioning and opposing the prevailing account of what constitutes appropriate employment opportunity, Matt Cavanagh provides a refreshing, and at times disquieting critique of broader anti-discrimination jurisprudence. * The Cambridge Law Journal *The book fully lives up to its provocative title. In the horse-trading of meritocracy versus equality, few have had the nerve and imagination to throw out both these ideals at once. * Nicholas Fearn, The Spectator *Table of Contents1. Introduction ; 2. Meritocracy ; 3. Equality ; 4. Discrimination ; 5. Conclusions ; References, Index
£53.20
Clarendon Press David Hume An Enquiry concerning the Principles of Morals
Book SynopsisAbout HumeDavid Hume (1711-1776) is one of the greatest of philosophers. Today he probably ranks highest of all British philosophers in terms of influence and philosophical standing. His philosophical work ranges across morals, the mind, metaphysics, epistemology, and aesthetics; he had broad interests not only in philosophy as it is now conceived but in history, politics, economics, religion, and the arts. He was a master of English prose. The Clarendon Hume Edition General Editors: Professor T. L. Beauchamp, Georgetown University, USA, Professor D. F. Norton, McGill University, Canada, and Professor M. A. Stewart, University of Lancaster, EnglandThe Clarendon Hume will include all of his works except his History of England and minor historical writings; it will be the only thorough critical edition, and will provide a far more extensive scholarly treatment than any previous editions. This edition (which has been in preparation since the 1970s) offers authoritative annotation, bibliogTrade ReviewReview from previous edition These new Oxford University Press editions have been meticulously collated from various exatant versions. Each text has an excellent introduction including an overview of Hume's thought and an account of his life and times. Even the difficult, and rarely commented-on, chapters on space and time are elucidated. There are also useful notes on the text and glossary. These scholarly new editions are ideally adapted for a whole range of readers, from beginners to experts. * Jane O'Grady, Catholic Herald *The edition of the Enquiry concerning the Principles of Morals is, in a word, superb ... I am full of admiration for the excellence of its scholarship. If the remaining volumes of the Clarendon Edition of Hume reach the same standard, it will be a veritable jewel * David Raphael, British Journal of the History of Philosophy *Table of ContentsEditor's Introduction. Note on the Text. ; David Hume: An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals (Text with Annotations). ; Glossary. Editorial Appendix. Biographical Appendix. List of References. Catalogue of Hume's References. Hume's Index. Editor's Index.
£37.52