Moral Fool - A Case for Amorality

Klappentext An expert on Eastern religions and social-systems theory! Hans-Georg Moeller questions the perceived goodness of morality and those who claim morality is inherently positive. Critiquing the ethical "fanaticism" of Western moralists! such as Immanuel Kant! Lawrence Kohlberg! John Rawls! and the Utilitarians! Moeller points to the absurd fundamentalisms and impracticable prescriptions that arise from definitions of good. He advances instead a theory of "moral foolishness!" or moral asceticism! extracted from the "amoral" philosophers of East Asia and such thinkers as Ludwig Wittgenstein and Niklas Luhmann. The moral fool doesn't understand why ethics are necessarily good! and he isn't convinced that the moral perspective is always positive. In this way! he is like most people! and Moeller defends this foolishness against ethical pathologies that support the death penalty! just wars! and even Jerry Springer's crude moral theater. Comparing and contrasting the religious philosophies of Christianity! Daoism! and Zen Buddhism throughout! Moeller presents a compelling argument in favor of amorality.

Product details

• Authors: H G Moeller, Hans-Georg Moeller, Moeller Hans-Georg
• Publisher: Columbia University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 15.07.2009
• EAN: 9780231145091
• ISBN: 978-0-231-14509-1
• No. of pages: 224
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Philosophy > General, dictionaries; PHILOSOPHY / Ethics & Moral Philosophy, PHILOSOPHY / Eastern, Ethics & moral philosophy, Ethics and moral philosophy, East Asian and Indian philosophy, Oriental & Indian philosophy