Revenge and Social Conflict

Revenge has been a subject of concern in most intellectual traditions throughout history, and even when social norms regard it as permissible or even obligatory, it is commonly recognised as being more counterproductive than beneficial. In this book, Kit R. Christensen explores this provocative issue, offering an in-depth account of both the nature of revenge and the causes and consequences of the desire for this kind of retaliatory violence. He then develops a version of eudaimonistic consequentialism to argue that vengeance is never morally justified, and applies this to cases of intergroup violence where the lust for revenge against a vilified 'Them' is easily incited and often exploited. His study will interest a wide range of readers in moral philosophy as well as social philosophers, legal theorists, and social/behavioural scientists.

Table des matières

Acknowledgements; Introduction; Part I. The Nature of Revenge: 1. Revenge: what it is and what it isn't; 2. A little natural history; 3. Interpretations of harm, norms of response; 4. Groups as victims and avengers; Part II. The Morality of Vengeance: 5. Revenge, punishment, and the state; 6. The immorality of revenge, considering the consequences; 7. Some nonconsequentialist responses; 8. War and vengeance; 9. Undermining vengeance, building sustainable peace; Bibliography; Index.

A propos de l'auteur

Kit R. Christensen is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Bemidji State University, Minnesota. His publications include Nonviolence, Peace, and Justice (2010), The Politics of Character Development (1994) and Philosophy and Choice (1999).

Résumé

Kit R. Christensen explores the causes and consequences of the desire for revenge, providing an in-depth account of the nature of this kind of retaliatory violence as well as an ethical evaluation of it as always wrong. His book will interest social philosophers, legal theorists and social/behavioural scientists.

Détails du produit

• Auteurs: Kit Christensen, Kit R. Christensen, Christensen Kit R.
• Edition: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Langues: Anglais
• Format d'édition: Livre de poche
• Sortie: 28.02.2018
• EAN: 9781316626627
• ISBN: 978-1-316-62662-7
• Pages: 297
• Catégories: Littérature spécialisée > Philosophie, religion > Philosophie: général, ouvrages de référence; Sciences sociales, droit, économie > Sciences politiques > Général, dictionnaires; Social Theory, PHILOSOPHY / Ethics & Moral Philosophy, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Peace, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / Social Theory, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Violence in Society, Ethics & moral philosophy, Ethics and moral philosophy, Peace studies and conflict resolution, Violence in society, Peace studies & conflict resolution, Violence and abuse in society