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Overview
Deontology brings together some of the most significant philosophical work on ethics, presenting canonical essays on core questions in moral philosophy. Edited and introduced by Stephen Darwall, these readings are essential for anyone interested in normative theory.
- With a helpful introduction by Stephen Darwall, examines key topics in deontological moral theory.
- Includes seven essays which respond to the classic sources.
- Includes classic excerpts by key figures such Kant, Richard Price and W. D. Ross; and recent reactions to this work by philosophers, including Robert Nozick, Thomas Nagel, Stephen Darwall, Judith Thomson, Frances Kamm, Warren Quinn, and Christine Korsgaard.
Synopsis
Deontology is a major approach to normative ethical theory that holds that whether an agent’s action is right or wrong depends not just on consequences, but also on other ‘agent-relative’ features of an individual’s situation – their relations to others, to past actions, and so on.
One classical source for this view is Kant’s idea that every person has an inestimable worth, or dignity, that cannot be traded off against other values. But the idea is also prominent in ‘intuitionist’ deontologists, who hold that many different moral considerations and principles exist, and that these cannot be reduced to any fundamental principle or value.
Deontology collects, for the first time, both the major classical sources and the central contemporary expressions of this important position. In addition to Kant, classical selections from Richard Price and W. D. Ross are included. Contemporary writers represented here include Robert Nozick, Thomas Nagel, Stephen Darwall, Judith Jarvis Thomson, Frances Myrna Kamm, Warren S. Quinn, and Christine M. Korsgaard. Edited and introduced by Stephen Darwall, these readings are essential for anyone interested in normative theory.
Editorials
From the Publisher
“This is a well-conceived collection, sensitive both to the history of the subject and to its more practical consequences. It is highly suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate teaching. Nobody does this sort of thing better than Stephen Darwall.” Jonathan Dancy, University of Reading
“Working out an approach to teaching deontology has traditionally been a process of making costly choices. It is a singular virtue of Darwall's thoughtful collection of readings that by including classical readings as well contemporary discussions, general rationales as well as specific cases, it frees us from the need to make these choices.” Paul Hurley, Pomona College
"In this book we have an excellent investigation of anti-consequentialist discourse through a very appropriate selection of essays effecting an imaginative and profound expansion of deontology. It will prove to be a valuable collection for all academics and students ..." Dr Marianna Papastephanou
"... in this book we have an excellent inverstigation of anti-consequentialist discourse through a very appropriate selection of essays effecting an imaginative and profound expansion of deontology. It will prove to be a valuable collection for all academics and students who are interested in current debates over moral duty, responsibility and their limits." Marianna Papastephanou, University of Cyprus