Reforming the Humanities: Literature and Ethics from Dante Through Modern Times

This book combines contemporary ethical theory, literary interpretation, and historical narrative to defend a view of the humanities as a source of moral guidance. Peter Levine argues that moral philosophers should interpret narratives and literary critics should adopt moral positions. His new analysis of Dante’s story of Paolo and Francesca sheds new light on the moral advantages and pitfalls of narratives versus ethical theories and principles.

This book combines contemporary ethical theory, literary interpretation, and historical narrative to defend a view of the humanities as a source of moral guidance. Peter Levine argues that moral philosophers should interpret narratives and literary critics should adopt moral positions. His new analysis of Dante’s story of Paolo and Francesca sheds new light on the moral advantages and pitfalls of narratives versus ethical theories and principles.

Peter Levine is Director of CIRCLE, The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement and Research Director of the Jonathan Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service at Tufts University. He is the author of The Future of Democracy: Developing the Next Generation of American Citizens, three other scholarly books on philosophy and politics, and a novel.