Giovanni Gentile and the State of Contemporary Constructivism - A Study of Actual Idealist Moral Theory (Paperback)

Recent moral philosophers have had little to say about Giovanni Gentile's 'actual idealism', which is widely dismissed as a kind of obscurantist Hegelianism used to conceal flimsy justifications for the state's total impunity over questions of morality and truth. While Gentile is increasingly recognised as a major figure in twentieth-century Italian culture, actual idealism itself has yet to be given a full and impartial philosophical appraisal. Giovanni Gentile and the State of Contemporary Constructivism represents the first book-length treatment of actual idealist moral theory. Part I describes and criticises Gentile's stated view, showing that it includes several ambiguities that he exploits in order to align it with Fascist totalitarianism. Part II develops a modified version that is more consistent with the basic tenets of actual idealism. It is argued that Gentile's theory is best understood as a radical constructivist doctrine according to which all thinking has a moral character. Rigorously conceived, it promotes not uncritical submission to the state, but free and self-regulating thought in the absence of a fully objective reality. Thus Gentile demonstrates both the plausibility and the limitations of any uncompromising form of anti-realist constructivism.

General

Imprint:	Imprint Academic
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Release date:	February 2015
Authors:	James Wakefield
Dimensions:	234 x 156 x 15mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback - Trade / Trade
Pages:	200
ISBN-13:	978-1-84540-764-3
Categories:	Books > Humanities > Philosophy > Topics in philosophy > Social & political philosophy Books > Humanities > Philosophy > Topics in philosophy > Ethics & moral philosophy > General Books > Humanities > Philosophy > Western philosophy > Modern Western philosophy, c 1600 to the present > Western philosophy, from c 1900 - > General Books > Philosophy > Topics in philosophy > Ethics & moral philosophy > General Books > Philosophy > Topics in philosophy > Social & political philosophy Books > Philosophy > Western philosophy > Modern Western philosophy, c 1600 to the present > Western philosophy, from c 1900 - > General
LSN:	1-84540-764-4
Barcode:	9781845407643

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