Christopher Bennett – författare

This book provides a philosophical development of the idea of expressive action. Expressive actions are symbolic actions that mark situations as in some way significant. In expressive action, the symbolism is not arbitrary in relation to what is being marked; rather the symbols speak in some way to the significant features of the situation being marked. A crucial task for the theory of expressive action is to explain what is going on when we engage in such actions. This is the Explanation Question. Many writers have found it difficult, at least on the face of it, to articulate a point to expressive action. The other central question addressed in this book is the Question of Reflective Endorsement: once we know what we are doing when we engage in expressive action, is it something we can continue to regard as worthwhile given the costs involved in it? Christopher Bennett argues that the most adequate answer to the Explanation Question is that in paradigm cases of expressive action we are acting on a distinctive evaluative conception: what he calls the conception of expressive reasons. We take ourselves to have good reason to mark situations through actions in which we attempt to capture, or embody, the significance of the situation. Expressive reasons are a distinctive category of normative reasons. We have good grounds, Bennett argues, to regard them as authoritative standards for the governance of action. On this basis, Bennett claims, we can give a positive answer to the Question of Reflective Endorsement. Bennett also looks at the way in which social conventions, obligations and emotions can be illuminated as forms of engagement with expressive reasons.

This book provides a philosophical development of the idea of expressive action. Expressive actions are symbolic actions that mark situations as in some way significant. In expressive action, the symbolism is not arbitrary in relation to what is being marked; rather the symbols speak in some way to the significant features of the situation being marked. A crucial task for the theory of expressive action is to explain what is going on when we engage in such actions. This is the Explanation Question. Many writers have found it difficult, at least on the face of it, to articulate a point to expressive action. The other central question addressed in this book is the Question of Reflective Endorsement: once we know what we are doing when we engage in expressive action, is it something we can continue to regard as worthwhile given the costs involved in it? Christopher Bennett argues that the most adequate answer to the Explanation Question is that in paradigm cases of expressive action we are acting on a distinctive evaluative conception: what he calls the conception of expressive reasons. We take ourselves to have good reason to mark situations through actions in which we attempt to capture, or embody, the significance of the situation. Expressive reasons are a distinctive category of normative reasons. We have good grounds, Bennett argues, to regard them as authoritative standards for the governance of action. On this basis, Bennett claims, we can give a positive answer to the Question of Reflective Endorsement. Bennett also looks at the way in which social conventions, obligations and emotions can be illuminated as forms of engagement with expressive reasons.

What is morality? How do we define what is right and wrong? How does moral theory help us deal with ethical issues in the world around us?This second edition provides an engaging and stimulating introduction to philosophical thinking about morality. Christopher Bennett provides the reader with accessible examples of contemporary and relevant ethical problems, before looking at the main theoretical approaches and key philosophers associated with them. Topics covered include:life and death issues such as abortion and global poverty;the meaning of life; whether life is sacred and which lives matter; major moral theories such as utilitarianism, Kantian ethics and virtue ethics;critiques of morality from Marx and NietzscheWhat is this Thing Called Ethics? has been thoroughly revised and updated throughout, with a new final chapter on meta-ethics.With boxed case studies, discussion questions and further reading included within each chapter this textbook is the ideal introduction to ethics for philosophy students coming to the subject for the first time.

What is morality? How do we define what is right and wrong? How does moral theory help us deal with ethical issues in the world around us?This second edition provides an engaging and stimulating introduction to philosophical thinking about morality. Christopher Bennett provides the reader with accessible examples of contemporary and relevant ethical problems, before looking at the main theoretical approaches and key philosophers associated with them. Topics covered include:life and death issues such as abortion and global poverty;the meaning of life; whether life is sacred and which lives matter; major moral theories such as utilitarianism, Kantian ethics and virtue ethics;critiques of morality from Marx and NietzscheWhat is this Thing Called Ethics? has been thoroughly revised and updated throughout, with a new final chapter on meta-ethics.With boxed case studies, discussion questions and further reading included within each chapter this textbook is the ideal introduction to ethics for philosophy students coming to the subject for the first time.

Christopher Bennett presents a theory of punishment grounded in the practice of apology, and in particular in reactions such as feeling sorry and making amends. He argues that offenders have a 'right to be punished' - that it is part of taking an offender seriously as a member of a normatively demanding relationship (such as friendship or collegiality or citizenship) that she is subject to retributive attitudes when she violates the demands of that relationship. However, while he claims that punishment and the retributive attitudes are the necessary expression of moral condemnation, his account of these reactions has more in common with restorative justice than traditional retributivism. He argues that the most appropriate way to react to crime is to require the offender to make proportionate amends. His book is a rich and intriguing contribution to the debate over punishment and restorative justice.

Christopher Bennett presents a theory of punishment grounded in the practice of apology, and in particular in reactions such as feeling sorry and making amends. He argues that offenders have a 'right to be punished' - that it is part of taking an offender seriously as a member of a normatively demanding relationship (such as friendship or collegiality or citizenship) that she is subject to retributive attitudes when she violates the demands of that relationship. However, while he claims that punishment and the retributive attitudes are the necessary expression of moral condemnation, his account of these reactions has more in common with restorative justice than traditional retributivism. He argues that the most appropriate way to react to crime is to require the offender to make proportionate amends. His book is a rich and intriguing contribution to the debate over punishment and restorative justice.

Over the past two years, the entire world watched in horror as one of Europe's most stable countries plunged into an orgy of violence and bloodshed that has invoked comparisons to the Holocaust. Aside from empty threats and diplomatic hand wringing, the West has done little to stop the ethnic cleansing, the sieges, and the brutality that has characterized the conflict in the former Yugoslavia. Contrary to common wisdom, the hyper-violent disintegration of the former Yugoslavia is not simply and exclusively the product of inherent and irrational ethnic animosities and centuries of strife. In this engaging book, journalist Christopher Bennett traces the turning point to the 1987 struggle within the Serbian Communist party which was between adherents of a Serb nationalist ideology -embodied by Slobodan Milosevic- and the other Yugoslavs who clung to the vision of a multinational state. As soon as Milosevic gained the upper hand, he ruthlessly purged his rivals and launched a massive campaign of media indoctrination to stir up Serb nationalism.This new nationalism, which has repelled the world since 1991, is primarily Milosevic's creation and not merely the result of historical enmity. As a student at two different Yugoslav universities in the 1980's, Bennett witnessed firsthand many if the critical events which contributed to Yugoslavia's destruction. He renders an incisive and accessible history, covering the period from Tito's dictatorship to the present day.

Over the past two years, the entire world watched in horror as one of Europe's most stable countries plunged into an orgy of violence and bloodshed that has invoked comparisons to the Holocaust. Aside from empty threats and diplomatic hand wringing, the West has done little to stop the ethnic cleansing, the sieges, and the brutality that has characterized the conflict in the former Yugoslavia. Contrary to common wisdom, the hyper-violent disintegration of the former Yugoslavia is not simply and exclusively the product of inherent and irrational ethnic animosities and centuries of strife. In this engaging book, journalist Christopher Bennett traces the turning point to the 1987 struggle within the Serbian Communist party which was between adherents of a Serb nationalist ideology -embodied by Slobodan Milosevic- and the other Yugoslavs who clung to the vision of a multinational state. As soon as Milosevic gained the upper hand, he ruthlessly purged his rivals and launched a massive campaign of media indoctrination to stir up Serb nationalism.This new nationalism, which has repelled the world since 1991, is primarily Milosevic's creation and not merely the result of historical enmity. As a student at two different Yugoslav universities in the 1980's, Bennett witnessed firsthand many if the critical events which contributed to Yugoslavia's destruction. He renders an incisive and accessible history, covering the period from Tito's dictatorship to the present day.

How do we punish others socially, and should we do so? In her 2018 Descartes Lectures for Tilburg University, Linda Radzik explores the informal methods ordinary people use to enforce moral norms, such as telling people off, boycotting businesses, and publicly shaming wrongdoers on social media. Over three lectures, Radzik develops an account of what social punishment is, why it is sometimes permissible, and when it must be withheld. She argues that the proper aim of social punishment is to put moral pressure on wrongdoers to make amends. Yet the permissibility of applying such pressure turns on the tension between individual desert and social good, as well as the possession of an authority to punish. Responses from Christopher Bennett, George Sher and Glen Pettigrove challenge Radzik's account of social punishment while also offering alternative perspectives on the possible meanings of our responses to wrongdoing. Radzik replies in the closing essay.

How do we punish others socially, and should we do so? In her 2018 Descartes Lectures for Tilburg University, Linda Radzik explores the informal methods ordinary people use to enforce moral norms, such as telling people off, boycotting businesses, and publicly shaming wrongdoers on social media. Over three lectures, Radzik develops an account of what social punishment is, why it is sometimes permissible, and when it must be withheld. She argues that the proper aim of social punishment is to put moral pressure on wrongdoers to make amends. Yet the permissibility of applying such pressure turns on the tension between individual desert and social good, as well as the possession of an authority to punish. Responses from Christopher Bennett, George Sher and Glen Pettigrove challenge Radzik's account of social punishment while also offering alternative perspectives on the possible meanings of our responses to wrongdoing. Radzik replies in the closing essay.