<p><strong>'Clarity of thought and exposition epitomise this book.'</strong> - <em>The Times</em><br /><br /><strong>'This is common-sense philosophy of the highest order.'</strong> - <em>Financial Times</em><br /><br /><strong>'Totally devoid of philosophical jargon and almost every page has a memorable phrase or striking image, as well as a fine sweep of reference ... a deeply humane and attractive book.'</strong> - <em>Philosophy Now</em></p>

In The Ethical Primate, Mary Midgley, 'one of the sharpest critical pens in the West' according to the Times Literary Supplement, addresses the fundamental question of human freedom. Scientists and philosophers have found it difficult to understand how each human-being can be a living part of the natural world and still be free. Midgley explores their responses to this seeming paradox and argues that our evolutionary origin explains both why and how human freedom and morality have come about.
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Mary Midgley argues that our evolutionary origin, properly understood, both explains why and how human freedom and morality have come about.
Part I - Introductory 1. Inner Divisions 2. Misguided Debates Part II - The Reductive Enterprise 3. Guiding Visions 4. Hopes of Simplicity 5. Crusades, Legitimate and Otherwise 6. Convergent Explanations and their Uses 7. Troubles of the Linear Pattern 8. Fatalism and Predictability Part III - The Sources and Meaning of Morals 9. Agency and Ethics 10. Modern Myths 11. The Strength of Individualism 12. The Retreat from the Natural World 13. How Far does Sociability Take Us? 14. The Uses of Sympathy Part IV - What Kind of Freedom? 15. On Being Terrestrial 16. What Beings are Free 17. Minds Resist Streamlining
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Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9780415095303
Publisert
1994-10-13
Utgiver
Vendor
Routledge
Vekt
521 gr
Høyde
234 mm
Bredde
156 mm
Aldersnivå
00, G, 01
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Innbundet
Antall sider
203

Forfatter

Om bidragsyterne

Mary Midgley (1919-2018) was one of the most renowned moral philosophers of her generation and the author of many books, including Beast and Man, Wickedness and The Myths We Live By. She has taken part in many broadcast events, including The Moral Maze and Woman's Hour.