Although most moral philosophers reject vengeance as a barbaric
sentiment, Peter French argues that it has fallen into disrepute
without being seriously examined with respect to its real moral
value. In beginning his philosophical examination of the virtues of
vengeance, he investigates the use of vengeance themes in
literature and popular culture. Literary works from the Iliad to
Hamlet and modern film Westerns such as Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven
are reviewed in his exploration of the philosophical and ethical
aspects of vengeance. He then concentrates on the conditions that
could make acts of vengeance virtuous.
Film Westerns play an illustrative role in French's work because
of their frequent use of the vengeance plot. As self-conscious
morality plays, they seldom wander from an investigation of the
social, psychological, political, and moral implications of
revenge. French uses such classics as The Searchers and Winchester
'73 to identify crucial philosophical elements of the concept of
vengeance that are then examined in detail in later parts of the
book.
In the course of his study of vengeance as a moral concept,
French exposes important distinctions between types of moral
theories (karmic and non-karmic) and between people who are morally
handicapped and those who are morally challenged. He examines
concepts relevant to vengeance such as honor, moral authority, and
evil, and issues such as the rationality of revenge and
proportionality in punishment.
French concludes that exiling vengeance to a dark corner of
human action has robbed morality of one of its most potent and
persuasive elements and that mere condemnation or ostracism are
inadequate responses to heinous acts.The maintenance of the
authority of morality often requires more hostile responses. His
book challenges us to reconsider the value, indeed the virtue, of
various responses to evil and may serve as a metaethical map of the
conceptual geography of vengeance for those daring to explore what
has generally been assumed in the literature of ethics to be
forbidden territory.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
