Moral Judgement: An Introduction through Anglo-American, German and French Philosophy

The book explores contemporary philosophical works on moral judgement from France, Germany, and the Anglo-American world, combining historiography and critical reflection to offer a rich picture of what it means to make good moral decisions. It argues that moral judgements are grounded in the normativity of practical identities and that acquiring moral virtues is necessary to better discern practical reasons in concrete situations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 236 pages
Publication date: 14 May 2024
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

This book is the first to introduce readers to contemporary philosophical works on moral judgement stemming from France, Germany, and the Anglo-American world, many of which remain untranslated. By integrating Kantian and Aristotelian reflections on this subject, the author combines historiography and critical reflection to offer a rich picture of what it means to make good moral decisions.

As both Kantians and Aristotelians argue, moral judgements are ultimately grounded in the normativity of practical identities. Thus, it is by identifying the obligations tied to the multiple dimensions of our identities (e.g., friend, teacher, romantic partner, citizen) that we can ultimately understand how we ought to act. Yet, Aristotle and Kant also remind us that doing so requires the acquisition of moral virtues which allow us to better discern practical reasons in concrete situations.

The book begins by examining the historical development of moral judgement, tracing its roots back to ancient Greece and Rome. It then explores the various philosophical approaches to moral judgement, including utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics. Each approach is discussed in detail, with examples and case studies to illustrate its key principles.

One of the key themes of the book is the importance of moral reasoning. Moral reasoning involves the process of making decisions based on moral principles and values. The author argues that moral reasoning is essential for living a good life and for making moral decisions that are consistent with our values.

The book also explores the role of emotions in moral judgement. Emotions can play a significant role in moral decision-making, but they can also lead to moral errors. The author argues that it is important to learn to manage our emotions and to use them in a way that is consistent with our moral values.

The book also discusses the importance of moral education. Moral education involves teaching people about moral principles and values and helping them to develop the skills and dispositions necessary to make good moral decisions. The author argues that moral education is essential for creating a more just and equitable society.

In addition to its theoretical analysis, the book also includes practical examples and case studies. These examples and case studies help to illustrate the principles and values discussed in the book and to show how they can be applied in real-world situations.

One of the strengths of the book is its clear and concise writing style. The author writes in a way that is accessible to readers of all levels of expertise, and the book is well-organized and easy to read.

However, the book also has some limitations. One of the limitations is that it does not cover all of the contemporary philosophical works on moral judgement. There are many other important works that have been published in recent years, and the author does not include them in the book.

Another limitation is that the book does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the ethical issues that are facing our society today. While the book does discuss some of the ethical issues that are facing our society, it does not provide a detailed analysis of them.

Despite these limitations, the book is a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in moral judgement. The book provides a clear and concise introduction to the various philosophical approaches to moral judgement and includes practical examples and case studies to illustrate the principles and values discussed in the book.

In conclusion, this book is the first to introduce readers to contemporary philosophical works on moral judgement stemming from France, Germany, and the Anglo-American world. By integrating Kantian and Aristotelian reflections on this subject, the author combines historiography and critical reflection to offer a rich picture of what it means to make good moral decisions. The book is well-written and accessible to readers of all levels of expertise, and it includes practical examples and case studies to illustrate the principles and values discussed in the book. However, the book also has some limitations, and it does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the ethical issues that are facing our society today. Despite these limitations, the book is a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in moral judgement.

Weight: 526g
Dimension: 238 x 157 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538173602