Beyond neutrality : perfectionism and politics

Author(s)

Bibliographic Information

Beyond neutrality : perfectionism and politics

George Sher

Cambridge University Press, 1997

  • : hbk
  • : pbk

Available at  / 12 libraries

Search this Book/Journal

Note

Includes bibliogaphical references and index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

Many people, including many contemporary philosophers, believe that the state has no business trying to improve people's characters, elevating their tastes, or preventing them from living degraded lives. They believe that governments should remain absolutely neutral when it comes to the consideration of competing conceptions of the good. One fundamental aim of George Sher's book is to show that this view is indefensible. A second complementary aim is to articulate a conception of the good that is worthy of promotion by the state. The first part of the book analyses attempts to ground the neutrality thesis in the value of autonomy, respect for autonomy, the dangers of a non-neutral state, and scepticism about the good. The second part defends an objective conception of the good which remains sensitive to some of the considerations that make subjectivism attractive.

Table of Contents

  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. The principle of neutrality
  • 3. Autonomy and neutrality (1)
  • 4. Autonomy and neutrality (2)
  • 5. Prophylactic neutrality
  • 6. Knowing about the good
  • 7. Three grades of social involvement
  • 8. Against subjectivism
  • 9. Perfectionism: a theory
  • 10. Conclusion.

by "Nielsen BookData"

Details

  • NCID
    BA33082682
  • ISBN
    • 0521570689
    • 0521578248
  • LCCN
    96009217
  • Country Code
    uk
  • Title Language Code
    eng
  • Text Language Code
    eng
  • Place of Publication
    Cambridge
  • Pages/Volumes
    xi, 251 p.
  • Size
    23 cm
  • Classification
  • Subject Headings
Page Top