Cultivating Conscience

How Good Laws Make Good People

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Law, Jurisprudence, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Public Policy
Cover of the book Cultivating Conscience by Lynn Stout, Princeton University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Lynn Stout ISBN: 9781400836000
Publisher: Princeton University Press Publication: October 4, 2010
Imprint: Princeton University Press Language: English
Author: Lynn Stout
ISBN: 9781400836000
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication: October 4, 2010
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Language: English

Contemporary law and public policy often treat human beings as selfish creatures who respond only to punishments and rewards. Yet every day we behave unselfishly--few of us mug the elderly or steal the paper from our neighbor's yard, and many of us go out of our way to help strangers. We nevertheless overlook our own good behavior and fixate on the bad things people do and how we can stop them. In this pathbreaking book, acclaimed law and economics scholar Lynn Stout argues that this focus neglects the crucial role our better impulses could play in society. Rather than lean on the power of greed to shape laws and human behavior, Stout contends that we should rely on the force of conscience.

Stout makes the compelling case that conscience is neither a rare nor quirky phenomenon, but a vital force woven into our daily lives. Drawing from social psychology, behavioral economics, and evolutionary biology, Stout demonstrates how social cues--instructions from authorities, ideas about others' selfishness and unselfishness, and beliefs about benefits to others--have a powerful role in triggering unselfish behavior. Stout illustrates how our legal system can use these social cues to craft better laws that encourage more unselfish, ethical behavior in many realms, including politics and business. Stout also shows how our current emphasis on self-interest and incentives may have contributed to the catastrophic political missteps and financial scandals of recent memory by encouraging corrupt and selfish actions, and undermining society's collective moral compass.

This book proves that if we care about effective laws and civilized society, the powers of conscience are simply too important for us to ignore.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Contemporary law and public policy often treat human beings as selfish creatures who respond only to punishments and rewards. Yet every day we behave unselfishly--few of us mug the elderly or steal the paper from our neighbor's yard, and many of us go out of our way to help strangers. We nevertheless overlook our own good behavior and fixate on the bad things people do and how we can stop them. In this pathbreaking book, acclaimed law and economics scholar Lynn Stout argues that this focus neglects the crucial role our better impulses could play in society. Rather than lean on the power of greed to shape laws and human behavior, Stout contends that we should rely on the force of conscience.

Stout makes the compelling case that conscience is neither a rare nor quirky phenomenon, but a vital force woven into our daily lives. Drawing from social psychology, behavioral economics, and evolutionary biology, Stout demonstrates how social cues--instructions from authorities, ideas about others' selfishness and unselfishness, and beliefs about benefits to others--have a powerful role in triggering unselfish behavior. Stout illustrates how our legal system can use these social cues to craft better laws that encourage more unselfish, ethical behavior in many realms, including politics and business. Stout also shows how our current emphasis on self-interest and incentives may have contributed to the catastrophic political missteps and financial scandals of recent memory by encouraging corrupt and selfish actions, and undermining society's collective moral compass.

This book proves that if we care about effective laws and civilized society, the powers of conscience are simply too important for us to ignore.

More books from Princeton University Press

Cover of the book Southern Nation by Lynn Stout
Cover of the book Art of the Deal by Lynn Stout
Cover of the book On the Medieval Origins of the Modern State by Lynn Stout
Cover of the book Truth and Truthfulness by Lynn Stout
Cover of the book Liberal Leviathan by Lynn Stout
Cover of the book Why Minsky Matters by Lynn Stout
Cover of the book The First Serious Optimist by Lynn Stout
Cover of the book Birder's Conservation Handbook by Lynn Stout
Cover of the book Our Underachieving Colleges by Lynn Stout
Cover of the book Power and Plenty by Lynn Stout
Cover of the book Kierkegaard's Writings, VIII: Concept of Anxiety: A Simple Psychologically Orienting Deliberation on the Dogmatic Issue of Hereditary Sin by Lynn Stout
Cover of the book Paying the Tab by Lynn Stout
Cover of the book Yield Curve Modeling and Forecasting by Lynn Stout
Cover of the book Sans-Culottes by Lynn Stout
Cover of the book The Secret of Our Success by Lynn Stout
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy