Human Morality

Samuel Scheffler

This book investigates morality's content, scope, authority, and deliberative role, and in so doing, offers an interpretation of the place of moral concerns in our lives. Morality is seen as fundamentally a humane phenomenon, which neither coincides with the requirements of an enlighten self-interest, nor stands diametrically opposed to them.

Human Morality

Samuel Scheffler

Description

Some people believe that the demands of morality coincide with the requirements of an enlightened self-interest. Others believe that morality is diametrically opposed to considerations of self-interest. This book argues that there is another position, intermediate between these extremes, which makes better sense of the totality of our moral thought and practice. Scheffler elaborates this position via an examination of morality's content, scope, authority, and deliberative role. Although conflicts between morality and self-interest do arise, according to this position, nevertheless morality is fundamentally a reasonable and humane phenomenon. Moreover, the psychological bases of effective moral motivation have sources deep within the self, and morally motivated individuals try to shape their own interests so as to avoid conflict with morality. Since human practices and institutions help to determine the prevalence of these motives, and since in this and other ways they influence the degree to which conflicts between morality and self-interest actually occur, the extent of such conflict is not fixed or immutable, and is in part a social and political issue.

Human Morality

Samuel Scheffler

Reviews and Awards

"Superb! Clear and accessible."--Chris Slupik, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh

"An immensely rich book....The book is extremely careful, resourceful, and reasonable. It is essential reading for everyone interested in ethics."--Mind

"This book shows us what shape a humane morality might take. The author does not shrink from noticing the zest with which humans regularly inflict pain and suffering on each other. Yet he resolutely holds out the hope for a form of life that is at once recognizably human and better than we have had. In its thoughtfulness and concern, this is a humane and admirable work."--Journal of Philosophy

"This concise, clear, and careful book raises a wide range of important issues about the relations between morality and self-interest. Scheffler raises old debates to a new level of precision and presents positions and arguments that are original, important, and persuasive.... A major contribution to ethics, and I recommend it strongly. Future discussions of all of these issues cannot ignore and should be improved by Scheffler's distinctions, arguments, and insights."--Philosophical Books

"Interesting, erudite, and very wide ranging."--Times Higher Education Supplement