Authors:
- Develops a new moral theory with a contractualist basis, combining elements from consequentialism and deontology
- Comprehensively addresses rival views in normative ethics
- Presents a novel perspective on how to assess moral theories
Part of the book series: Philosophical Studies Series (PSSP, volume 138)
Buy it now
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Other ways to access
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check for access.
Table of contents (7 chapters)
-
Front Matter
-
Back Matter
About this book
This posthumous publication attempts to answer the question of what moral code is the most reasonable. Philosophers often turn to consequentialism or deontological ethics to address this issue. As the author points out, each has valid arguments but each is unable to get the other side to agree. To rectify this, he proposes a third way. Inside, readers will discover a theory that tries to do justice to both sides.
The author first details consequentialism and deontological ethics. He also explains their fundamental conflict. One holds the view that you should do what has the best consequences. The other believes that there are actions which are wrong to do even if they have the best consequences.
Next, the volume considers various ways to solve this conflict. Would rejecting one theory work? Or, is it possible to somehow reconcile them. The author shows why these solutions fail. He then goes on to present his own. The resulting contractual theory brings together the twoopposing ethical convictions. It proposes that what is right and wrong depends on what norms people would agree to. Throughout, coverage explores the psychological, sociological, and historical background of the moral theories discussed. The reason is that moral theories are embedded in social and psychological contexts. They are better understood when the contexts are explicit. This key feature distinguishes the volume from other works in moral philosophy.At the time of his death in July 2011, Jan Österberg was close to completing this manuscript. It was taken up and fully completed by Erik Carlson and Ryszard Sliwinski, both of Uppsala University.
Keywords
- Act-Utilitarianism
- Consequentialism
- Contractualism
- Deontological ethics
- Normative ethics
- Rule-Utilitarianism
- Jan Österberg The Golden Rule
- theoretical normative ethics
- compound of consequentialism
- consequentialist theories
- deontological theories
- morality contractualist nature
- deontology consequentialism
- Österberg death
- Österberg last book
- Österberg ethics
- Österberg deontological ethics
- Österberg consequentialism
Authors and Affiliations
-
Department of Philosophy, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden
Jan Österberg
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Towards Reunion in Ethics
Authors: Jan Österberg
Series Title: Philosophical Studies Series
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-12410-6
Publisher: Springer Cham
eBook Packages: Religion and Philosophy, Philosophy and Religion (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019
Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-030-12409-0Published: 30 May 2019
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-030-12412-0Published: 14 August 2020
eBook ISBN: 978-3-030-12410-6Published: 21 May 2019
Series ISSN: 0921-8599
Series E-ISSN: 2542-8349
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: X, 257
Number of Illustrations: 1 b/w illustrations
Topics: Moral Philosophy, Social Theory, Ethics, Psychology Research, History of Science