From Principles to Practice: Normativity and Judgement in Ethics and Politics

Onora O'Neill argues that knowledge and action are interconnected, and that principles are not enough for ethical thought or action. She contends that practical judgment identifies ways of enacting ethical principles and changing the way things are, and that good practical judgment can bring abstract principles to bear in situations that call for action. Her essays challenge claims that all inquiry must use either the empirical methods of scientific inquiry or the interpretive methods of the humanities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 234 pages
Publication date: 20 September 2018
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Knowledge seeks to align itself with the world, while action aims to transform it. In this collection of essays, Onora O Neill delves into the intricate relationship between these two concepts and demonstrates that principles alone are insufficient for ethical thought and action. We must also grasp how practical judgment identifies pathways for enacting them and altering the status quo. O Neill supports both ethical and technical judgment, arguing that they can be bolstered by considering a diverse range of factors, ranging from ethical principles to real-world constraints. While we may never encounter practical algorithms, let alone ethical algorithms, capable of resolving moral and political dilemmas, skillful practical judgment can bring abstract principles to bear in situations that demand action.

Through her essays, O Neill challenges the notion that all inquiry must solely rely on the empirical methods of scientific inquiry or the interpretive methods of the humanities. This collection appeals to a wide range of readers interested in moral and political philosophy, offering insightful perspectives and provoking thought.

Weight: 390g
Dimension: 152 x 227 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781107534353