Philosophy of Comparisons: Theory, Practice and the Limits of Ethics

Comparing is essential for understanding the world around us and for making ethical decisions. Hartmut von Sass's book explores the structure, practice, and ethics of comparative procedures, suggesting a typology of comparisons and introducing the notion of comparative injustice. He also elaborates on comparing as practice by relating it to three relative practices: orienting, describing, and expressing oneself. This approach clarifies the idea of the incomparable, distinguishes between different versions of incomparability, and sheds light on important ethical aspects of comparisons.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 07 October 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Comparing is a fundamental practice that permeates our daily lives, as well as the fields of science and humanities. In this comprehensive philosophical exploration, Hartmut von Sass delves into the intricacies of comparative procedures, emphasizing their significance. He elucidates the multifaceted nature of comparison, proposing a typology of comparisons before introducing the concept of comparative injustice and exploring the boundaries of such comparisons. Von Sass further elucidates the practice of comparison by relating it to three relative practices: orienting, describing, and expressing oneself. Through this lens, he unravels some of the key chapters of what could be termed comparativism. This approach enables von Sass to clarify the notion of the incomparable, distinguish between different versions of incomparability, and shed light on important ethical considerations surrounding comparisons in today's world.

Confronting the assertion that we are living in an age of comparisons, his book makes a significant contribution to the ongoing discussions surrounding comprehensive measurements and scalability, as well as their critical evaluation.

Weight: 552g
Dimension: 163 x 242 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350184381