Moral Perception and Particularity - Hardcover

Blum, Lawrence A.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521430283 ISBN 13: 9780521430289

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1994

Synopsis

Most contemporary moral philosophy is concerned with issues of rationality, universality, impartiality, and principle. By contrast Laurence Blum is concerned with the psychology of moral agency. The essays in this collection examine the moral import of emotion, motivation, judgment, perception, and group identifications, and explore how all these psychic capacities contribute to a morally good life. Blum takes up the challenge of Iris Murdoch to articulate a vision of moral excellence that provides a worthy aspiration for human beings. Drawing on accounts of non-Jewish rescuers of Jews during the Holocaust Blum argues that impartial principle can mislead us about the variety of forms of moral excellence.

About this title

Review:

"His [Blum's] examples are illuminating, and he gives a useful step-by-step summary of how a person moves from moral perception to action based on principle." Ethics

"This is a complex book, and it raises important challenges to traditional moral theories. . . . all moral theorists, regardless of their preferences, will benefit from this work." Philosophical Books

"If there are any doubts that the writings of Iris Murdoch have spawned creative work in moral philosophy, Lawrence Blum's recent collection of essays should put them to rest....Blum's collection has much to commend it." The Journal of Religion

Book Description:

Moral Perception and Particularity explores the moral import of emotions, motivation, perception, judgment, and group identifications as a corrective to moral philosophy's standard focus on impartiality and rational principle.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0521430283
• ISBN 13: 9780521430289
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 288