The Moral Habitat

In The Moral Habitat, Barbara Herman offers a new interpretation of Kant's moral and political philosophy, exploring imperfect duties and reinterpreting ethics as a system of perfect and imperfect duties. This system provides a moral habitat for free and equal persons, shaping and being affected by duties from different spheres. Herman discusses the implications and applications of this idea, including a human right to housing and meta-ethical issues about objectivity and moral change.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 01 November 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

In her groundbreaking work, "The Moral Habitat," Barbara Herman presents a fresh and comprehensive interpretation of Kant's moral and political philosophy. The study commences by delving into the realm of understudied imperfect duties, which unveil significant yet often overlooked insights into the essence of being a moral agent. The second part of the book embarks on a substantial reinterpretation of Kant's ethics as a comprehensive system of duties, encompassing both perfect and imperfect obligations. This system of duties serves as the foundation for what Herman refers to as a moral habitat: a purposefully designed environment created by and for free and equal individuals living in harmony. It is a dynamic system, where duties from various spheres interact and influence one another, with each level further elucidating its core anti-subordination value.

In the final section, Herman explores the implications and applications of this moral habitat concept, further developing the resources of this holistic agent-centered Kantian perspective on morality. She examines what would be involved, morally, in recognizing a human right to housing and delves into meta-ethical issues about objectivity and our responsibility for fostering moral change. Through her profound analysis, Herman offers a transformative vision of morality that emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive environment where individuals can thrive and flourish. "The Moral Habitat" is a seminal work that challenges our understanding of ethics and politics, offering a fresh perspective that empowers us to build a more just and compassionate world.

Weight: 418g
Dimension: 235 x 155 x 150 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198906223