Louis P. Pojman - Böcker

Written by a group of distinguished philosophers, the Foundations of Philosophy Series aims to exhibit some of the main problems in the various fields of philosophy at the present stage of philosophical inquiry. This book is written from the viewpoint that although justice is the most important concept in political philosophy, it is also one of the most contested concepts in philosophy. Coverage begins with an overview of the concept of justice, arguing that justice is a vital part of political philosophy, which in turn is part of moral philosophy. The book outlines an objectivist view of moral philosophy, which holds that moral principles have universal validity. The material presents a philosophical map to navigate the plethora of confusing, competing theories and concepts regarding the importance of justice. The author distinguishes between formal and material concepts of justice and discusses the related issues of comparative/noncomparative justice and distributive versus commutative justice.

A comprehensive anthology on justice with readings that offer the different theories on the importance and placement of justice in society.The well-argued, accessible articlesencompass classic to contemporary theories and cover both positive and negative.

Louis Pojman and Robert Westmorland have compiled the best material on the subject of equality, ranging from classical works by Aristotle, Hobbes and Rousseau to contemporary works by John Rawls, Thomas Nagel, Michael Walzer, Harry Frankfurt, Bernard Williams and Robert Nozick; and including such topics as: the concept of equality; equal opportunity; Welfare egalitarianism; resources; equal human rights and complex equality.CONTENTS: Introduction: The Nature and Value of EqualityI. Classical Readings:1. Aristotle: Justice and Equality2. Thomas Hobbes: Equality in the State of Nature3. Jean-Jacques Rousseau: On the Origins of Inequality4. David Hume: On Justice and Equality5. Francis-Noel Babeuf and Sylvain Marechal: The Manifesto of EqualityII. On the concept of Equality Itself6. Felix E. Oppenheim: Egalitarianism as a Descriptive Concept7. Dennis McKerlie: Equality and Time8. Larry Temkin: InequalityIII. General Considerations 9. Immanuel Kant: Groundwork for a Metaphysic of Morals10. Robert Nozick: Justice Does Not Imply Equality11. J.R. Lucas: Against Equality12. Stanley I. Benn: Egalitarianism and the Equal Consideration of Interests13. Gregory Vlastos: Justice and EqualityIV. Equal Opportunity14. John Schaar: Equality of Opportunity and Beyond15. James Fishkin: Liberty versus Equal Opportunity16. Peter Westen: the concept of Equal Opportunity17. Robert Nozick: Life is not a Race18. William Galston: A Liberal Defense of Equal OpportunityV. The Contemporary Debate on the Nature and Value of Equality19. John Rawls: Equality and Desert20. Wallace Matson: Justice: A Funeral Oration21. Kai Nielson: Radical Welfare Egalitarianism22. R.M. Hare: A Utilitarian Defense of Equality23. Richard Arneson: Equality and Equal Opportunity for Welfare24. Eric Rakowski: A Critique of Welfare Egalitarianism25. Thomas Nagel: Equality and Partiality26. Harry Frankfurt: Equality as a Moral Ideal27. Eric Rakowski: A Defense of Resource Equality28. Louis Pojman: On Equal Human Worth: A Critique of Contemporary Egalitarianism29. Michael Walzer: Complex EqualityAppendix30. Kurt Vonnegut: Harrison BergeronBibliography

Classics of Philosophy: Volume II, Modern and Contemporary covers the works of philosophers from Descartes to Rawls. Ideal for courses in modern and contemporary philosophy, it includes forty-eight extensive selections--seventeen of them complete--from twenty-nine philosophers. This collection offers an unrivaled introduction to the major works of these periods. A lucid introduction, including a brief biographical sketch, accompanies each of the featured philosophers. Also look for Classics of Philosophy: Volume I, Ancient and Medieval, which covers the works of philosophers from Thales to William of Ockham. In addition, there is a single-volume edition available that combines Volume I and Volume II, providing the most comprehensive anthology of writings in western philosophy in print.

Much of contemporary social and political theory has reduced the concept of desert to a minor role. The work of John Rawls is the prime example. Recently some philosophers have argued that the notion merits a more central place in social and political theory. This reader brings together opposing positions and arguments, thus stimulating debate over the meaning and significance of desert in contemporary thought. The book includes eight classical and twenty-two contemporary readings on the concept.

This is Volume 3 of the most comprehensive anthology of writings in Western philosophy in print. It assembles the classic essays of Western philosophy of the twentieth century which have given shape and value to its character and structure. From logical Positivism, American Pragmatism, and Ordinary Language Philosophy to Continental Philosophy, the selections have been chosen because they are creative, controversial, and typically fascinating. Fifty four selections of thirty nine authors are included, featuring the work of McTaggart, Moore, Russell, Wittgenstein, Carnap. Quine, Ayer, Kipke, Harrison, Gettier, Goldman, Strawson, Ryle, Dennett, Davidson, Putnam, Nagel, Serle, Nozick, Rawls, Hussert, Heidegger, Sartre, Foucault, Derrida, Rourty, and Habermas. Also featured are seminal works in the philosophy of mind, free will/determinism, the debate over religious truth, and political and moral philosophy while the emphasis of the earlier volumes on epistemological and metaphysical issues continues. This is a collection which students and intelligent lay people can use without needing advanced technical ability in logic or semantics. The volume opens with a general essay by the editor on philosophy in the twentieth century; a biographical sketch accompanies each author; and each selection includes by an abstract and short bibliography.

Introduction to Philosophy is a topically-organized introductory anthology. Presenting differing arguments on each issue, its 84 selections represent some of WEstern philosophy's leading contributions across five major areas: theory of knowledge, philosophy of religion, philosophy of mind, free will and determinism, and moral philosophy. Louis P. Pojman and new co-editor James Fieser introduce each of these areas, their subsections, and each of the readings, providing background information and summarizing key themes. Beginning with the opening section - "What is Philosophy" - they present a compelling sampling of classical material while also highlightng some of philosophy's most influential contemporary work. Now in its fourth edition, the book features Questions for Further Reflection, Suggestions for Further Reading, a glossary, two appendices, and nine new selections.

Ideal for introductory ethics courses, The Moral Life: An Introductory Reader in Ethics and Literature brings together a comprehensive collection of classical and contemporary readings on ethical theory and contemporary moral issues. The first two-thirds of the book comprises readings on historical and contemporary ethical theory; the final third is devoted to readings on a variety of contemporary moral issues. Integrating literature with philosophy in an innovative way, this anthology leverages literary works to enliven and make concrete the ethical theories and applied issues it covers.

Incorporating the insights of new coeditor Lewis Vaughn, Classics of Philosophy, Third Edition, is the most comprehensive anthology of writings in Western philosophy in print. Spanning 2,500 years of thought, it is ideal for introduction to philosophy and history of philosophy courses. It features more than seventy selections by forty philosophers—along with fragments from the Pre-Socratics—offering students and instructors an extensive and economicalcollection of the major works of the Western tradition. This volume contains the most important writings from Thales to Rawls; twenty of these are complete works, while the others are judiciously abridged so that little of value to the student is lost. A lucid introduction, including a brief biographical sketch,accompanies each of the featured philosophers.NEW TO THE THIRD EDITION:* Selections from philosophers who were not included in the previous edition—Maimonides (Guide for the Perplexed) and Schopenhauer (The World as Will and Representation)—along with Kant's Critique of Pure Reason* Expanded readings: Aristotle's Posterior Analytics, On the Soul, Metaphysics, and Nicomachean Ethics; Berkeley's Of the Principles of Human Knowledge; and Hume's Treatise on Human Nature * Review questions for each chapter and illustrated portraits of many philosophers * A Companion Website at www.oup.com/us/pojman featuring resources for students (self-quizzes, flash cards, chapter review questions, a timeline, and helpful web links) and instructors (brief reading summaries, essay questions, test questions, and PowerPoint-based lecture slides)Classics of Philosophy, Third Edition, provides students with an extensive view of the major stages of growth in Western philosophy—including its birth with the Pre-Socratics and its contemporary developments—in an accessible format and at an affordable price.

One of the nation's leading military ethicists, Louis P. Pojman argues that globalism and cosmopolitanism motivate the need for greater international cooperation based on enforceable international law. The best way to realize the promises of globalism and cogent moral arguments for cosmopolitanism, Pojman contends, is through the establishment of a World Government. In very readable prose, Pojman begins with a description of the growing menace of non-state terrorism on people everywhere, and distinguishes 'old-style' from 'new-style' terrorism. In Chapter 2, he examines the virtues and vices of nationalism, comparing them to the promises and problems of cosmopolitanism. Pojman ultimately argues that enforceable international law which will promote peace and curtail terrorism requires that we endorse a form of 'soft nationalism.' This form of nationalism is ultimately compatible with a limited, republican form of world government. Chapter 3 addresses universal human rights, arguing against the notion that they are an ethnocentric product of Western culture, and providing an overall justification of human rights as correlative to moral duties. Pojman concludes on a hopeful note, characterizing his proposal for a World Government as an effective counter-measure, albeit ambitious and controversial, to terrorism and its causes.

Two distinguished social and political philosophers take opposing positions in this highly engaging work. Louis P. Pojman justifies the practice of execution by appealing to the principle of retribution: we deserve to be rewarded and punished according to the virtue or viciousness of our actions. He asserts that the death penalty does deter some potential murderers and that we risk the lives of innocent people who might otherwise live if we refuse to execute those deserving that punishment.Jeffrey Reiman argues that although the death penalty is a just punishment for murder, we are not morally obliged to execute murderers. Since we lack conclusive evidence that executing murderers is an effective deterrent and because we can foster the advance of civilization by demonstrating our intolerance for cruelty in our unwillingness to kill those who kill others, Reiman concludes that it is good in principle to avoid the death penalty, and bad in practice to impose it.

Can we ever achieve belief by a direct act of will? If it will help us to be happier, should we make ourselves believe propositions which the evidence alone does not warrant? These are the sort of questions which Professor Pojman examines in Religious Belief and the Will (originally published in 1986). He deals with a constellation of problems related to believing and willing to believe; his main concern is with religious faith and belief, though his analysis is also of interest to epistemology and ethics.Pojman asks what is so important about believing propositions in the first place, and why religious creeds have made propositional belief a necessary condition for salvation. He considers whether one can be rational and still use the will to believe what the evidence alone does not warrant. He also discusses whether faith and belief are generically related or distinct attitudes.This is the first full-length treatise on religious belief that approaches the subject from the viewpoint of volitional activity (i.e., related to the will). It presents a rethinking of the way the will interacts with belief, a relationship often misconstrued in works of philosophy and theology. Pojman believes that the will is central to religious commitment, and that by understanding the relationship between the attitude of belief and the activity of willing, we are enabled to get fresh insight into the classical problem of religious belief and the will.

Can we ever achieve belief by a direct act of will? If it will help us to be happier, should we make ourselves believe propositions which the evidence alone does not warrant? These are the sort of questions which Professor Pojman examines in Religious Belief and the Will (originally published in 1986). He deals with a constellation of problems related to believing and willing to believe; his main concern is with religious faith and belief, though his analysis is also of interest to epistemology and ethics.Pojman asks what is so important about believing propositions in the first place, and why religious creeds have made propositional belief a necessary condition for salvation. He considers whether one can be rational and still use the will to believe what the evidence alone does not warrant. He also discusses whether faith and belief are generically related or distinct attitudes.This is the first full-length treatise on religious belief that approaches the subject from the viewpoint of volitional activity (i.e., related to the will). It presents a rethinking of the way the will interacts with belief, a relationship often misconstrued in works of philosophy and theology. Pojman believes that the will is central to religious commitment, and that by understanding the relationship between the attitude of belief and the activity of willing, we are enabled to get fresh insight into the classical problem of religious belief and the will.

A comprehensive anthology on justice with readings that offer the different theories on the importance and placement of justice in society.The well-argued, accessible articlesencompass classic to contemporary theories and cover both positive and negative.