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How does moral change happen? What leads to the overthrow or gradual transformation of moral beliefs, ideals, and values? Change is one of the most striking features of morality, yet it is poorly understood. In this book, Cecilie Eriksen provides an illuminating map of the dynamics, structure, and normativity of moral change. Through eight narratives inspired by the legal domain and in dialogue with modern moral philosophy, Eriksen discusses moral bias, conflict, progress, and revolutions. She develops a context-sensitive understanding of ethics and shows how we can harvest a knowledge of the past that will enable us to build a better future.
List of contents
1. Introduction.- Part I The Dynamics and Structures of Moral Change.- 2. Angel Makers and the Swedish Child Care Laws of 1902.- 3. Turning the Other Cheek with a Check in the Hand.- 4. The Obedient Danes and the Smoking Law.- 5. A Rebirth of Justice? Indigenous Land Rights in Canada.- 6. Poor Little Sweep! Child Labour in the UK.- 7. From Death Penalty to Church Weddings.- 8. Being Moved Beyond Our Good and Evil: The Crow Case.- 9. Co-work and Compromises: The Birth of the CRC.- 10. Conclusion: Army of Metaphors.- 11. Interlude: The Normative Challenges of Moral Change.- Part II The Normativity of Moral Change.- 12. Moral Conflict.-13. Moral Uncertainty.- 14. Moral Certainty.- 15. Moral Distortion.- 16. Moral Revolution.- 17. Moral Progress.- 18. Conclusion: Contextual Ethics.
About the author
Cecilie Eriksen is a Postdoc at the Ethics Institute, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Utrecht University, Netherlands.
