Description
Book SynopsisOffers an inquiry into arguments that are offered to defend seemingly wrongful actions performed by those who occupy what Montaigne called 'necessary offices'. This book begins by examining the career of Charles-Henri Sanson, who is appointed executioner of Paris by Louis XVI and serves the punitive needs of the ancient regime for decades.
Trade Review"A masterful, artful book, this set of arguments and persuasive dialogue aims to inquire into, sometimes justify, and limit vicious actions by people in adversarial roles in professional and public life."--Choice "Ethics for Adversaries is a sustained but reasoned attack on harmful adversarial tactics common in professions, business, and politics... Applbaum's [attack] is systematic and deep. It is systematic because he concentrates on possible justifications for adversariness across the board... It is deep because it develops its arguments from a well-articulated moral framework... Very knowledgeable, well written and argued."--Alan Goldman, Ethics
Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsPt. INecessary Offices1Ch. 1Arguments for Adversaries3Ch. 2Professional Detachment: The Executioner of Paris15Pt. IIRoles and Reasons43Ch. 3Doctor, Schmoctor: Practice Positivism and Its Complications45Ch. 4The Remains of the Role61Ch. 5Are Lawyers Liars? The Argument of Redescription76Pt. IIIGames and Violations111Ch. 6Rules of the Game and Fair Play113Ch. 7Are Violations of Rights Ever Right?136Ch. 8Ethics in Equilibrium175Pt. IVAuthority and Dissent205Ch. 9Democratic Legitimacy and Official Discretion207Ch. 10Montaigne's Mistake240Sources and Credits261Index263
