| A Politics of Freedom and An Ethics of Respect: Principles to Live by in Times of Peace Contributor(s): Hall Jr, Byron C. (Author) |
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ISBN: 1468102222 ISBN-13: 9781468102222 Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform OUR PRICE: $14.20 Product Type: Paperback Published: February 2012 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Philosophy | Ethics & Moral Philosophy |
| Physical Information: 0.53" H x 5.51" W x 8.5" (0.66 lbs) 234 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: From the Author: Beginning with Darwin's The Descent of Man (1871), it has been assumed that an ethical system originating from the theory of evolution must be some form of either enlightened self-interest or Utilitarianism. Neglected in that assumption, however, is that humans have culture and that cultural adaptation is the primary mode of human evolution. I develop a system of ethics from the consideration of cultural adaptation. This system, an ethics of respect, incorporates both individual rights and the dignity of humans, and it is incompatible with both enlightened self-interest and Utilitarianism. After more than 35 years of thought, reading, debate, and reconsideration, I feel that I have reached the goals I set in the beginning. I wanted to find a solid ground for recognizing the political rights to life, liberty, and property (liberty rights). In Chapter 2, I develop that ground. I wanted to associate political liberty rights with a system of ethics. In Chapter 3, I found that only an ethics of respect, like Kant's, is compatible with those rights. I wanted to generalize that system of ethics so that it would cover all life forms. In Chapters 5 and 6, I propose a method for doing so. I wanted to apply the principles developed in Chapters 2, 3, 5, and 6 to important issues. In Chapters 4, and 6 - 9 and in Appendix B I address the issues of the environment, political systems, economic systems, criminal justice, racial discrimination, abortion and human sexuality. |