Description
Book SynopsisMost of us believe that there are limits to the sacrifices that morality can demand of us. We also think that certain types of acts are simply forbidden, even when necessary for promoting the overall good. Here Kagan argues that attempts to defend these sorts of moral limit are inadequate. In thus rejecting two of the most fundamental features of commonsense morality, the book offers a sustained attack on our ordinary moral views.
Trade Review`this is an important book International Studies in Philosophy Vol XXX/I 1993
`Kagan writes with exemplary clarity and shows considerable ingenuity in arguing for his massively counterintuitive and really rather sinister thesis.' Times Higher Education Supplement
`The two points to stress about this book are: it is full of arguments that are themselves formidable. And it gives proper attention to pivotal but largely neglected issues.' Mind
Table of ContentsAgainst ordinary morality; the structure of ordinary morality; doing harm; intending harm; withou constraints; avoiding the appeal; the appeal to cost; the negative argument; the positive argument; extraordinary morality.
