Human Morality - Hardcover

Scheffler, Samuel

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0195074483 ISBN 13: 9780195074482

Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc, 1992

Synopsis

Some people believe that the demands of morality coincide with the requirements of an enlightened self-interest. Others believe that morality is diametrically opposed to considerations of self-interest. This book argues that there is another position, intermediate between these extremes, which makes better sense of the totality of our moral thought and practice. Scheffler elaborates this position via an examination of morality's content, scope, authority, and deliberative role. Although conflicts between morality and self-interest do arise, according to this position, nevertheless morality is fundamentally a reasonable and humane phenomenon. Moreover, the psychological bases of effective moral motivation have sources deep within the self, and morally motivated individuals try to shape their own interests so as to avoid conflict with morality. Since human practices and institutions help to determine the prevalence of these motives, and since in this and other ways they influence the degree to which conflicts between morality and self-interest actually occur, the extent of such conflict is not fixed or immutable, and is in part a social and political issue.

About this title

Review

interesting, erudite, and very wide-ranging (Times Higher Education Supplement)

immensely rich book ... extremely careful, resourceful, and reasonable. It is essential reading for everyone interested in ethics. (Mind)

Book Description

By Samuel Scheffler, one of the most prominent moral philosophers

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc
• Publication date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0195074483
• ISBN 13: 9780195074482
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 159