In the first half of the book, the hypothesis that morality has an emotional foundation is defended. Evidence from brain imaging, social psychology, and psychopathology suggest that, when we judge something to be right or wrong, we are merely expressing our emotions. The book claims that these emotions do not t The book claims that these emotions do not track objective features of reality; rather, the rightness and wrongness of an act consists in the fact that people are disposed to have certain emotions towards it.
In the second half of the book, it turns to a defence of moral relativism. Moral facts depend on emotional responses, and emotional responses vary from culture to culture. The book surveys the anthropological record to establish moral variation, and draws on cultural history to show how attitudes toward practices such as cannibalism and marriage change over time.
- The Emotional Construction of Morals by Jesse J. Prinz;
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It also criticizes evidence from animal behaviour and child development that has been taken to support the claim that moral attitudes are hard-wired by natural selection. The book concludes that there is no single true morality, but also argues that some moral values are better than others; moral progress is possible.
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Don't have an account? The sections on moral judgment and hidden indexicals, genealogy, and the limitations of evolutionary approaches to morality are particularly good, I think. The discussion of moral progress from a relativist standpoint is also notable. Prinz's The Emotional Construction of Morals will be of interest to a wide range of scholars in academic philos An excellent, thorough-going, and rigorous defense of a sensibility theory of morality. Prinz's The Emotional Construction of Morals will be of interest to a wide range of scholars in academic philosophy including specialists in meta-ethics, the science of morality, Hume, and Nietzsche.
General readers will find it accessible, although they may find some of the more technical discussions found in some sections difficult e. Aug 09, Juan Lulkin rated it it was amazing Shelves: Jesse's endeavour is a tour the force. He goes on point by point, objection by objection, author by author with responses with creative insights and profound knowledge.
2008.06.29
It's commendable to see this kind of rigorous work in academia, in an age we're surrounded by nonsense and not rigorous postmodern thought. His writing is clear, engaging and thought through. The overall resulting theory is cogent, although yet not perfectly polished. Hume is alive and kicking. Mar 26, John Chaffinch rated it really liked it.
Contentious but tautly argued and packed with illustration. Essential reading for anyone with a serious interest in ethics. The critique of Aristotle's theory of the golden mean is particularly cogent. Dixon rated it it was amazing Apr 04, Dan Makoske rated it it was amazing Nov 16, Maddison rated it it was amazing Jul 28, Sasha rated it liked it Jan 29, Eric Levy rated it it was amazing Oct 11, Rudy rated it it was amazing Apr 15, Peter rated it really liked it Mar 06, Aubrey rated it it was amazing Apr 18, John rated it really liked it Dec 11, Marine rated it really liked it May 15, McKay Holland rated it liked it Apr 28, Mary Gwin rated it really liked it Dec 22, Hannah Levinson rated it really liked it Apr 29, Christopher Boss rated it it was ok Jun 14, Daryl Cameron rated it really liked it Feb 23, David L rated it really liked it Jun 22, Tata Blanco rated it really liked it Jan 27, Mary Arbab rated it liked it May 07, Morality and Emotion 1.
Nonmoral and Moral 3. Against Objectivity Part II. Dining with Cannibals 6. The Genealogy of Morals 7. The Limits of Evolutionary Ethics 8. Beyond Good and Evil?
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Emotional Construction of Morals - Oxford Scholarship
To purchase, visit your preferred ebook provider. Oxford Scholarship Online This book is available as part of Oxford Scholarship Online - view abstracts and keywords at book and chapter level. The Emotional Construction of Morals Jesse Prinz Jesse Prinz presents a bravura argument for highly controversial claims about morality, which go to the heart of our understanding of ourselves.