MAKING MORALITY WORK C

Erscheinungsjahr 2018
ISBN: 978-0-19-956008-0
Verlag: ACADEMIC

Buch, Englisch, 426 Seiten, Format (B × H): 161 mm x 240 mm, Gewicht: 801 g

Most of us hope to do what morality requires of us. But what if we can't figure out what it does require? A soldier may know that morality requires him not to kill an innocent civilian but he can't tell whether the driver of a suspicious car is an innocent civilian or a terrorist about to detonate a bomb. Holly M. Smith addresses this problem in Making Morality Work by asking whether we should reject moral codes that can't be used by anyone hampered by
inadequate information.

When considering questions of morality, we call on moral theories to play both a theoretical and a practical role. These theories provide accounts of what makes actions right or wrong, and also provide a standard by which agents can guide their own conduct. It is usually assumed that a single theory can serve both roles, but limited knowledge often prevents people from using traditional normative theories to make decisions. Smith examines three major strategies for addressing this 'epistemic
problem' in morality before developing an innovative solution that overcomes the weaknesses of prior approaches. Making Morality Work opens a path towards resolving a deep problem in moral life.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Smith

Smith, Holly M.

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Sozialphilosophie, Politische Philosophie
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Ethik, Moralphilosophie
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politikwissenschaft Allgemein Politische Theorie, Politische Philosophie

Über Autor(innen)

Holly M. Smith is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Rutgers University, following appointments at Tufts University, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Michigan, the University of Illinois-Chicago, and the University of Arizona. She has published widely on topics in normative ethics, moral decision making, the theory of moral responsibility, and bio-medical ethics.