Wrongdoing and the Moral Emotions

Wrongdoing and the Moral Emotions explores how to address wrongdoing in light of ethical considerations and concerns about free will. It proposes an account of blame as moral protest, justifies defensive harming, treats criminals without retributive punishment, and encourages forgiveness as renunciation of moral protest. It also defends an impartial hope for humanity in a deterministic universe.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 05 August 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Wrongdoing and the Moral Emotions is a comprehensive exploration of how we can address wrongdoing in the face of ethical considerations and concerns about free will. The book begins by addressing the issue of wrongdoing in Chapter 1, which sets the stage for the subsequent chapters. Chapter 2 delves into the concept of blame without retribution, proposing an account of blame as moral protest. This perspective aims to secure forward-looking goals such as the moral reform of the wrongdoer and reconciliation in relationships. Chapter 3 examines the possibility of justifying effective dealing with those who pose dangerous threats, even if they do not deserve to be harmed. The author argues that wrongfully posing a threat is the core condition for the legitimacy of defensive harming. Chapter 4 explores the treatment of criminals without a retributive justification for punishment. The author advocates for an account in which the right of self-defense provides justification for measures such as preventative detention. Chapter 5 examines the concept of forgiveness in the context of wrongdoing. The author proposes that forgiveness be conceived as renunciation of the stance of moral protest rather than simply absolving the wrongdoer of their pain. Chapter 6 explores the functioning of personal relationships without retributive anger playing a role in responding to wrongdoing. The author contends that the stance of moral protest, supplemented with non-retributive emotions, is sufficient for maintaining healthy relationships. Chapter 7 surveys the options for theistic and atheistic attitudes regarding the fate of humanity in a deterministic universe. The author defends an impartial hope for humanity, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing wrongdoing while holding onto a sense of hope for a better future.

Weight: 382g
Dimension: 144 x 222 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192846006