The Demoralization of Western Culture: Social Theory and the Dilemmas of Modern Living - Hardcover

Fevre, Ralph

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0826450601 ISBN 13: 9780826450609

Publisher: Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd., 2001

Synopsis

This is a robust, rigorous and entertaining contribution to the widespread debate about values in particular those values according to which we conduct our private lives. Fevre argues that many of us in the Western world feel genuine confusion about our morality; we are more unsure about where right and wrong might lie than at any previous point in our history. He contends that the most important cause of our difficulties lie in the popularity of a particular sort of reasoning: "common sense" - which came to dominate our thinking during the 20th century. Drawing on information about art, sex, work, religion, nationalism, politics, the environment and advertising, he looks at why this sort of reasoning has proved so persuasive and so much more powerful than alternative modes of thinking offered by those who want to resist it.

About this title

Review

'The seriousness of Fevre's case cannot be doubted. There will be few who do not benefit from reading this impassioned and courageous book.' John Gray, London School of Economics

'Timely and fascinating. Ralph Fevre has an enviable ability to get to the roots of some of the central dilemmas of our time. He has penetrating and original things to say about sexuality, rationality and community and about the causes of the triviality endemic in the contemporary world.' Anthony O'Hear, University of Bradford

'Ralph Fevre's analysis of how common sense is now destructive of traditional morality is at times brilliant. No future discussion of morality can omit this important book.' Richard Stivers, Illinois State University

About the Author

R. W. Fevre is Professor of Social Research at Cardiff University.

Edition details

• Publisher: Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd.
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0826450601
• ISBN 13: 9780826450609
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288