Moral Demands in Nonideal Theory by Murphy
Is there a limit to the legitimate demands of morality? In particular, is there a limit to people's responsibility to promote the well-being of others, either directly or via social institutions? Utilitarianism admits no such limit, and is for that reason often said to be an unacceptably demanding moral and political view. In this original new study, Murphy argues that the charge of excessive demands amounts to little more than an affirmation of the status quo. The real problem with utilitarianism is that it makes unfair demands on people who comply with it in our world of non-ideal compliance. Murphy shows that this unfairness does not arise on a collective understanding of our responsibility for others' well being. Thus, according to Murphy, while there is no general problem to be raised about the extent of moral demands, there is a pressing need to acknowledge the collective nature of the demands of beneficence.
"Readers will learn much by workings through Murphy's bookIt advances discussion on several important topics regarding benificence."--Thaddues Metz, Philosophical Review
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780195171952 |
| ISBN 10 | 0195171950 |
| Title | Moral Demands in Nonideal Theory |
| Author | Liam Murphy |
| Series | Oxford Ethics Series |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press Inc |
| Year published | 2003-11-27 |
| Number of pages | 192 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |