Moral Luck: Philosophical Papers 1973-1980A new volume of philosophical essays by Bernard Williams. The book is a successor to Problems of the Self, but whereas that volume dealt mainly with questions of personal identity, Moral Luck centres on questions of moral philosophy and the theory of rational action. That whole area has of course been strikingly reinvigorated over the last deacde, and philosophers have both broadened and deepened their concerns in a way that now makes much earlier moral and political philosophy look sterile and trivial. Moral Luck contains a number of essays that have contributed influentially to this development. Among the recurring themes are the moral and philosophical limitations of utilitarianism, the notion of integrity, relativism, and problems of moral conflict and rational choice. The work presented here is marked by a high degree of imagination and acuity, and also conveys a strong sense of psychological reality. The volume will be a stimulating source of ideas and arguments for all philosophers and a wide range of other readers. |
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Contents
Persons character and morality | 1 |
Moral luck | 20 |
Utilitarianism and moral selfindulgence | 40 |
Politics and moral character | 54 |
Conflicts of values | 71 |
Justice as a virtue | 83 |
Rawls and Pascals wager | 94 |
Internal and external reasons | 101 |
Ought and moral obligation | 114 |
Practical necessity | 124 |
The truth in relativism | 132 |
Wittgenstein and idealism | 144 |
Another time another place another person | 164 |
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Common terms and phrases
accept action acts actually agent already answer applies argument basic believe certainly character characteristic choice claim conception concerned condition consequences consider considerations course decision deliberation desire discussion disposition distinction doubt effect empirical example existence experience explanation expression external reason fact feeling follow further give given ground hold human idea idealism important instance interest internal involves issue justice justified Kantian kind language later least less limits luck matter mean merely method moral motive nature necessarily notion objective obligation observation one's outcome particular perhaps person philosophy political politicians position possible practical present problem projects propositional question rational Rawls reason reference regard regret relations relative seems sense sentence situation social someone sort statement structure suggest supposed taken theory things thought true truth understanding unjust utilitarian values virtue wrong
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Bibliographic information
| Title | Moral Luck: Philosophical Papers 1973-1980 Cambridge Paperback Library Cambridge university library |
| Authors | Bernard Williams, Williams Bernard |
| Edition | illustrated, reprint, reissue |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press, 1981 |
| ISBN | 0521286913, 9780521286916 |
| Length | 173 pages |
| Subjects | › Philosophy / Ethics & Moral Philosophy Philosophy / General |
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