Ethics without Morals

In Defence of Amorality

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Other Practices, Atheism, Philosophy, Ethics & Moral Philosophy
Cover of the book Ethics without Morals by Joel Marks, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Joel Marks ISBN: 9781136202278
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: November 12, 2012
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Joel Marks
ISBN: 9781136202278
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: November 12, 2012
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

In this volume, Marks offers a defense of amorality as both philosophically justified and practicably livable. In so doing, the book marks a radical departure from both the new atheism and the mainstream of modern ethical philosophy. While in synch with their underlying aim of grounding human existence in a naturalistic metaphysics, the book takes both to task for maintaining a complacent embrace of morality. Marks advocates wiping the slate clean of outdated connotations by replacing the language of morality with a language of desire.

The book begins with an analysis of what morality is and then argues that the concept is not instantiated in reality. Following this, the question of belief in morality is addressed: How would human life be affected if we accepted that morality does not exist? Marks argues that at the very least, a moralist would have little to complain about in an amoral world, and at best we might hope for a world that was more to our liking overall. An extended look at the human encounter with nonhuman animals serves as an illustration of amorality’s potential to make both theoretical and practical headway in resolving heretofore intractable ethical problems.

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

In this volume, Marks offers a defense of amorality as both philosophically justified and practicably livable. In so doing, the book marks a radical departure from both the new atheism and the mainstream of modern ethical philosophy. While in synch with their underlying aim of grounding human existence in a naturalistic metaphysics, the book takes both to task for maintaining a complacent embrace of morality. Marks advocates wiping the slate clean of outdated connotations by replacing the language of morality with a language of desire.

The book begins with an analysis of what morality is and then argues that the concept is not instantiated in reality. Following this, the question of belief in morality is addressed: How would human life be affected if we accepted that morality does not exist? Marks argues that at the very least, a moralist would have little to complain about in an amoral world, and at best we might hope for a world that was more to our liking overall. An extended look at the human encounter with nonhuman animals serves as an illustration of amorality’s potential to make both theoretical and practical headway in resolving heretofore intractable ethical problems.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book When Empire Meets Nationalism by Joel Marks
Cover of the book The Narcissistic Pursuit of Perfection by Joel Marks
Cover of the book Women of the Place by Joel Marks
Cover of the book Silver and Society in Late Antiquity by Joel Marks
Cover of the book The Politics of Economic Life by Joel Marks
Cover of the book Household Waste in Social Perspective by Joel Marks
Cover of the book UK Statistics by Joel Marks
Cover of the book Contemporary Corporate Strategy by Joel Marks
Cover of the book The Twilight Of A Military Tradition by Joel Marks
Cover of the book The End of the Ottoman Empire, 1908-1923 by Joel Marks
Cover of the book Beyond Neoliberalism by Joel Marks
Cover of the book The Poetry of Erasmus Darwin by Joel Marks
Cover of the book Theology without Words by Joel Marks
Cover of the book Comfort Women and Post-Occupation Corporate Japan by Joel Marks
Cover of the book Language Policies in Education by Joel Marks
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