2nd Edition

Good and Evil An Absolute Conception

By Raimond Gaita Copyright 2004
    416 Pages
    by Routledge

    416 Pages
    by Routledge

    Raimond Gaita's Good and Evil is one of the most important, original and provocative books on the nature of morality to have been published in recent years. It is essential reading for anyone interested in what it means to talk about good and evil. Gaita argues that questions about morality are inseparable from the preciousness of each human being, an issue we can only address if we place the idea of remorse at the centre of moral life. Drawing on an astonishing range of thinkers and writers, including Plato, Wittgenstein, George Orwell and Primo Levi, Gaita also reflects on the place of reason and truth in morality and ultimately how questions about good and evil are connected to the meaning of our lives.

    This revised edition of Good and Evil includes a substantial new preface and afterword by the author.

    Chapter 1 Evil and unconditional respect; Chapter 2 The scope of academic moral philosophy; Chapter 3 Mortal men and rational beings; Chapter 4 Remorse and its lessons; Chapter 5 Evil done and evil suffered; Chapter 6 Naturalism; Chapter 7 Modalities; Chapter 8 Meaning; Chapter 9 Individuality; Chapter 10 ‘An attitude towards a soul’; Chapter 11 Goodness; Chapter 12 Ethical other-worldliness; Chapter 13 ‘The repudiation of morality’; Chapter 14 Ethics and politics; Chapter 15 Moral understanding; Chapter 16 Truth; Chapter 17 Fearless thinkers and evil thoughts;

    Biography

    Raimond Gaita is Professor of Moral Philosophy at Kings College London and Professor of Philosophy at Australian Catholic University. His books include the award-winning biography of his father, Romulus, My Father, A Common Humanity and The Philosopher's Dog.

    'A marvellous work, one which ought to change the tone as well as the focus of much contemporary moral philosophy.' - Bernadette Tobin, Australian

    'A superb, richly textured discussion which engages directly with real people and their deeply serious moral concerns.' - Brenda Almond, THES

    'One can only acknowledge the justice and admire the acuteness of many of its critical contributions to contemporary debates in moral philosophy.' - A.D.M. Walker, Journal of Applied Philosophy