Genocide and Human Rights

JOHN ROTH is Edward J. Sexton Professor of Philosophy and the Director of the Center for the Study of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights at Claremont McKenna College, where he has taught since 1966. He is the author or editor of more than thirty-five books, including Holocaust Politics: Will Genocide Ever End? and Approaches to Auschwitz: The Holocaust and its Legacy.

'Although it is often said that philosophers have nothing important to say about genocide, the essays in this book prove otherwise. The topic is covered from numerous points of view and always with care. One can only hope that by gaining a better understanding of how evil of this magnitude is possible, we will be in a better position to stop it from happening again.' - Kenneth Seeskin, Professor of Philosophy, Northwestern University, USA 'John K. Roth's Genocide and Human Rights makes a significant contribution to the philosophical study of genocide. Although most contributors to this volume are philosphers from the analytic tradition, many are open to, and directly invoke the work of, continental thinkers. This inclusive approach is welcome... The result is a rich and conceptually illuminating discussion that will no doubt stimulate further philosophical reflection on genocide and other forms of mass violence.' - Journal of Genocide Research

• Prologue and Acknowledgments: Philosophy and Genocide; J.K.Roth Notes on Contributors PART I: THE PROBLEM OF EVIL: HOW DOES GENOCIDE AFFECT PHILOSOPHY? The Evil in Genocide; B.Lang Rights, Morality, and Faith in the Light of the Holocaust; S.Lee How Should Genocide Affect Philosophy?; F.Sontag Genocide, Despair, and Religious Hope: An Essay on Human Nature; S.T.Davis The Holocaust and Language; D.Z.Phillips Genocide, Evil, and Injustice: Competing Hells; T.W.Simon PART II: INNOCENT OR GUILTY? PHILOSOPHY'S INVOLVEMENT IN GENOCIDE The Doctorhood of Genocide; C.Tatz The Philosophical Warrant for Genocide; D.Patterson The Rational Constitution of Evil: Reflections on Franz Baermann Steiner's Critique of Philosophy; M.Mack Epistemic Conditions for Genocide; E.C.Eze Genocide and the Totalizing Philosopher; L.Grob Why Do the Happy Inhabitants of Tahiti Bother to Exist at All?; R.Bernasconi PART III: WILL GENOCIDE EVER END? GENOCIDE'S CHALLENGE TO PHILOSOPHY Refocusing Genocide: A Philosophical Responsibility; R.Gaita Genocide and Crimes against Humanity; N.Geras Innocence, Genocide, and Suicide Bombings; L.M.Thomas Beyond the Affectations of Philosophy; J.R.Watson The Warring Logics of Genocide; E.Wyschogrod Philosophy's Obligation to the Human Being in the Aftermath of Genocide; P.C.Santilli PART IV: RESISTANCE, RESPONSIBILITY, AND HUMAN RIGHTS: PHILOSOPHY'S RESPONSE TO GENOCIDE Genocide and Social Death; C.Card Genocide and the 'Logic' of Racism; J.K.Roth The Right to Life, Genocide, and the Problem of Bystander States; D.H.Jones Repudiating Inhumanity: Cosmopolitan Justice and the Obligation to Prosecute Human Rights Atrocities; P.Hayden 'The Human Material Is Too Weak'; R.S.Gottlieb Virtue Ethics, Mass Killing, and Hatred; P.Woodruff Shame, the Holocaust, and Dark Times; M.L.Morgan Epilogue: 'After? . . . Meaning what?'; J.K.Roth Select Bibliography About the Editor and Contributors Index