Wickedness: A Philosophical Essay - Hardcover

Midgley, Mary

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 071009759X ISBN 13: 9780710097590

Publisher: Routledge Kegan & Paul, 1984

Synopsis

To look into the darkness of the human soul is a frightening venture. Here Mary Midgley does so, with her customary brilliance and clarity. In Wickedness she sets out to delineate not so much the nature of wickedness as its actual sources . Midgley's analysis proves that the capacity for real wickedness is an inevitable part of human nature. This is not however a blanket acceptance of evil. She provides us with a framework that accepts its existence yet offers humankind the possibility of rejecting this part of our nature. Out of this dark journey she returns with an offering to an understanding of human nature that enhances our very humanity. To read Wickedness is to understand Mary Midgley's reputation as one of the world's greatest moral philosophers.

About this title

About the Author

Mary Midgley (1919-), a philosopher with a special interest in ethics, human nature and science, has a widespread international following for her work. Other publications include The Ethical Primate, Science as Salvation, Utopias, Dolphins and Computers and, most recently, Science and Poetry

Review

' I have now read the book twice, not because it is difficult (on the contrary it reads with the ease and elegance of Bertrand Russell), but because it is so stimulating.' - Brian Masters, The Spectator

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge Kegan & Paul
• Publication date: 1984
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 071009759X
• ISBN 13: 9780710097590
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224