Patterns of Moral Complexity

Larmore, Charles E.

ISBN 10: 0521338913 / ISBN 13: 9780521338912

Published by Cambridge University Press, 1987

About this Item

This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has soft covers. In fair condition, suitable as a study copy. Library sticker on front cover. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,400grams, ISBN:9780521338912. Seller Inventory # 9765289

Bibliographic Details

Title: Patterns of Moral Complexity

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Publication Date: 1987

Binding: Soft cover

Condition: Fair

About this title

Synopsis:

Larmore aims to recover three forms of moral complexity that have often been neglected by moral and political philosophers. First, he argues that virtue is not simply the conscientious adherence to principle. Rather, the exercise of virtue apply. He argues - and this is the second pattern of complexity - that recognizing the value of constitutive ties with shared forms of life does not undermine the liberal ideal of political neutrality toward differing ideals of the good life. Finally Larmore agrues for what he calls the heterogeneity of morality. Moral thinking need not be exclusively deontological or consequentialist, and we should recognize that the ultimate sources of moral value are diverse. The arguments presented here do not attack the possibility of moral theory. But in addressing some of the central issues of moral and political thinking today thay attempt to restore to that thinking greater flexibility and a necessary sensitivity to our common experience.

Book Description:

An exploration of the complexities involved in the role of moral judgement, the nature of liberalism, and the foundation of ethics argues that modern moral theories, Kantian and utilitarian, have wrongly portrayed virtue as simply the conscientious adherence to principle.