A Theory of General Ethics: Human Relationships, Nature, and the Built EnvironmentMIT Press, 2006 M09 22 - 400 pages With A Theory of General Ethics Warwick Fox both defines the field of General Ethics and offers the first example of a truly general ethics. Specifically, he develops a single, integrated approach to ethics that encompasses the realms of interhuman ethics, the ethics of the natural environment, and the ethics of the built environment. Thus Fox offers what is in effect the first example of an ethical "Theory of Everything." Fox refers to his own approach to General Ethics as the "theory of responsive cohesion." He argues that the best examples in any domain of interest—from psychology to politics, from conversations to theories—exemplify the quality of responsive cohesion, that is, they hold together by virtue of the mutual responsiveness of the elements that constitute them. Fox argues that the relational quality of responsive cohesion represents the most fundamental value there is. He then develops the theory of responsive cohesion, central features of which include the elaboration of a "theory of contexts" as well as a differentiated model of our obligations in respect of all beings. In doing this, he draws on cutting-edge work in cognitive science in order to develop a powerful distinction between beings who use language and beings that do not. Fox tests his theory against eighteen central problems in General Ethics—including challenges raised by abortion, euthanasia, personal obligations, politics, animal welfare, invasive species, ecological management, architecture, and planning—and shows that it offers sensible and defensible answers to the widest possible range of ethical problems. |
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Contents
The Idea of a General Ethics | 3 |
2 Problems That Any General Ethics Must Be Able to Address | 17 |
II The Foundational Value of Responsive Cohesion | 51 |
3 Introducing the Idea of Responsive Cohesion | 53 |
4 The Best Approach to Everything | 85 |
A Note on the Concepts of Responsive Cohesion Reflective Equilibrium Organic Unity Complex Systems and So On | 115 |
5 The Best Approach to Conventional Interhuman Ethics | 125 |
III Contexts Mindsharers and IsoExperients | 165 |
8 Time Blindness Autobiographical Death and Our Obligations in Respect of All Beings | 247 |
IV Summary Applications and Concluding Thoughts | 291 |
The Shape of a General Ethics Worthy of the Name | 293 |
10 Applying the Theory of Responsive Cohesion | 307 |
11 Conclusion | 353 |
Notes | 361 |
Bibliography | 375 |
383 | |
6 The Theory of Responsive Cohesions Theory of Contexts | 167 |
7 Exploring the Cognitive Worlds of Mindsharers and IsoExperients | 207 |
Other editions - View all
A Theory of General Ethics: Human Relationships, Nature, and the Built ... Warwick Fox No preview available - 2006 |
A Theory of General Ethics: Human Relationships, Nature, and the Built ... Warwick Fox No preview available - 2006 |