This means that you will never be ab solutely certain as to what all the consequences of your act will be. Like the other members of this series, it presents a. Shelly kagan is an first rate moral philosopher and this is a fine book, though it is not a book a agree with. Shelly kagan offers a division between moral factors and theoretical foundations that reflects the.
Shelly kagan is a very clear, sensible writer and his book covers a lot of ground, but it is not a very successful introduction to normative ethics, certainly not for undergraduates, and one couldnt imagine a person not already interested in the subject who would be drawn to. Shelly kagan 1998 authors shelly kagan yale university abstract this article has no associated abstract. In criticizing arguments for limited moral requirements as well as those for unconditionally prohibited acts, kagan offers a sustained attack on two of the most basic features of ordinary common sense morality. This course will examine a number of issues that arise once we begin to reflect on our mortality. Shelly kagan is a very clear, sensible writer and his book covers a lot of ground, but it is not a very successful introduction to normative ethics, certainly not for undergraduates, and one couldnt imagine a person not already interested in the subject who would be drawn to learn more about it from reading this book. Providing a thorough introduction to current philosophical views on. Normative ethics, but even that is designed as a text book to be read in a class room rather than as ordinary reading. The limits of morality shelly kagan oxford university. In this provocative analysis kagan maintains that despite the intuitive appeal of these views, they cannot be adequately defended.
Normative ethics selected by choice as an outstanding. Shelly kagan offers a division between moral factors and. Before that, i was an undergraduate at the university of toronto. Normative ethics matthew silverstein spring 2008 contact information office. Normative ethics dimensions of philosophy 1st edition. Shelly kagan offers a division between moral factors and theoretical foundations that reflects the actual working practices of contemporary moral philosophers.
Kagan introduces idea of moral philosophy, which answers the question of how one should live a. Buy normative ethics dimensions of philosophy by kagan, shelly isbn. Kagan presents a quite clear and very thorough argument against common sense or ordinary morality. Normative ethics by shelly kagan westview press, 1998 in ethics vol. In academic philosophy, one of the best compliments you can give a book is to say you disagree with it but think it has to be read by those in the field.
Whether there are any agent neutral theories that are not consequentialist is not so clear, because some recent work in moral philosophy suggests that any plausible moral theory can be recast as a consequentialist theory. Inaugural presentation of the george hourani lectures in moral philosophy, suny buffalo. The course of normative ethics in the 20th century was a rollercoaster ride, from. Normative ethics edition 1 by shelly kagan 97808308463.
More advanced than timmons 2007, but highly recommended course requirements and method of assessment 1. May 04, 2012 shelly kagan is professor of philosophy and henry r. Aristotle, nicomachean ethics the following books about writing have also been ordered. Since then, the open yale course video series has achieved international popularity and been viewed millions of times around the world. Luce professor of social thought and ethics at yale university. The second half of the book then examines the competing theories about the foundations of normative ethics, theories that attempt to explain why the basic normative factors have the moral significance that they do.
The limits of morality oxford ethics series 9780198239161. Or should we accept an account according to which people are just. Shelly kagan is the clark professor of philosophy at yale university. Normative ethical theory underwent a period of refinement in some areas and proliferation in others during the 20th century. But outside of academia, few americans have heard of him. Normative ethics selected by choice as an outstanding academic. I considered various possible suggestions, but there is one possible reaction that we have not yet considered. They therefore accepted a realist version of the autonomy of ethics.
Kagan s normative ethics is an excellent book for those interested in a contemporary introduction to ethical theory. Tristram mcpherson 2011 philosophical studies 154 2. Dimensions of philosophy shelly kagannormative ethics westview press 1997 free ebook download as pdf file. Shelly kagans normative ethics is part of the dimensions of philosophy series of texts from westview press. About professor shelly kagan shelly kagan is clark professor of philosophy at yale.
Philosophical perspectives, 6, ethics, 1992 the structure of normative ethics shelly kagan university of illinois at chicago if you open a typical textbook on normative ethics, it will have a discussion of what it thinks of as rival theories. The limits of morality shelly kagan oxford university press. Providing a thorough introduction to current philosophical views on morality, normative ethics examines an acts rightness or wrongness in terms of such factors as consequences, harm, and consent. Providing a thorough introduction to current philosophical views on morality, normative ethics examines an acts rightness or wrongness in light of such factors as consequences, harm, and consent. His accumulated distinctions and arguments help to.
Although it would often be meritorious, we are not, in fact, morally required to do all that we can to promote overall good. Nicomachean ethics, book viii nicomachean ethics, book ix april 23 updates and reactions philippa foot, virtues and vices robert loudon, on some vices of virtue ethics unit 5 wellbeing april 28 transition nicomachean ethics, book i nicomachean ethics, book vii, chapter 1114 nicomachean ethics, book x, chapters 16. This means that you will never be absolutely certain as. Most people believe that there are limits to the sacrifices that morality can demand. The first half of the book presents a systematic survey of the basic normative factors, focusing on controversial questions concerning the precise content of each factor, its scope and. Sak shelly kagan, the structure of normative ethics, in james tomberlin, ed. Intended for upperlevel or graduate students of philosophy, this book should also appeal to the general reader looking for a. William lane craig is a philosophical theologian and christian apologist. I did my graduate work at yale university, where shelly kagan was my primary advisor. Shelly kagan, a social and political philosophy professor at yale, is a respected figure in his field.
The basic idea is easy to understand and important. Shelly kagans the limits of morality michael slote university of maryland shelly kagans the limits of morality is a welcome and impressive contribution to the literature of debate between consequentialism and ordinary or commonsense morality. Whats more, most people also believe that certain types of acts are simply forbidden, morally off limits, even when necessary for promoting the overall good. I argue that we should reject all traditional forms of act.
Introduction shelly kagan in normative ethics said. Kagans main research interests lie in moral philosophy, and in particular, normative ethics. Do we have reason to believe in the existence of immortal souls. Shelly kagan is professor of philosophy and henry r. Having said this, however, i will say i find this book a gem. Add one setup an account with your affiliations in order to access resources via your universitys proxy server configure custom proxy use this if your affiliation does not provide a proxy. Normative ethics selected by choice as an outstanding academic book for 1998 the geometry of desert, winner of the 2012 prose. Philosophy 503 and 441 spring 2010 reading assignments. Perhaps the most common objection to consequentialism is this. Theories prominent in the 19th century, such as utilitarianism, underwent refinement in light of criticisms. The course of normative ethics in the 20th century was a rollercoaster ride. Most of us do think there are rights and wrongs in ethics, and share those beliefs. Sak shelly kagan, the structure of normative ethics, in james tomberlin.
Lenman cluelessness james lenman consequentialism and. The first half of the book presents a systematic survey of the basic normative factors, focusing on controversial. This means that you will never be ab solutely certain as. Its well worth a read if youre looking for a solid, critical overview of normative ethics. I found much of his argument quite convincing, and found it especially useful how he tackles many different arguments in favour of common sense morality or at least against purely or largely consequentialist moralities individually. Please note that the class, while introductory, is rather ambitious. The possibility that death may not actually be the end is considered. Kagans normative ethics is an excellent book for those interested in a contemporary introduction to ethical theory. If you open a typical textbook on normative ethics, it will have a discussion of what it thinks of as rival theories. Read the fulltext online edition of normative ethics 1998. One problem here is that the topic of the debate and the topic craig always raises in his moral argument for gods existence is metaethical, while kagan focuses his research on ethical theory and applied ethics.
It is essential to do the readings prior to the class for which they are assigned. Consequentialism and moral rationalism, forthcoming in oxford studies in normative ethics. Dimensions of philosophy shelly kagannormative ethics scribd. He is best known for his writings about moral philosophy and normative ethics.
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