By John Opie (NHC Fellow, 1980–81), Ian Barbour (NHC Fellow, 1980–81), Sanford A. Lakoff (NHC Fellow, 1980–81; 1981–82), and Harvey Brooks A multi-disciplinary team consisting of an engineer, a political scientist, an historian, and a professor of religion and physics view the question of energy and values from each other’s perspective. The result is a … Continued
By Timothy Kircher (NHC Fellow, 2007–08) This study evaluates the way Leon Battista Alberti (1404-1472) assessed humanist moral philosophy in Renaissance Italy. It helps us understand not only the allure of Renaissance humanism, but also its shortcomings, through the writings of a leading humanist of the time. Alberti’s writings employ irony in order to illustrate … Continued
By Larry S. Temkin (NHC Fellow, 1984–85) In choosing between moral alternatives — choosing between various forms of ethical action — we typically make calculations of the following kind: A is better than B; B is better than C; therefore A is better than C. These inferences use the principle of transitivity and are fundamental … Continued
By Phillip Mitsis (NHC Fellow, 1987–88) The ethical theory of the Greek philosopher Epicurus (341–271 B.C.) is commonly taken to be narrowly egoistic, and there is ample evidence in his writings to support this view―for example, in his maxims on friendship, his emphasis on the utility of friends, and his continual effort to link friendship … Continued
By Holly M. Smith (NHC Fellow, 2013–14) Moral theories are called on to play both a theoretical and a practical role. In their theoretical role they provide accounts of what features make actions right or wrong. In their practical role, they provide a standard by which agents can guide their own conduct. Although it is … Continued
By Sanford A. Lakoff (NHC Fellow, 1980–81; 1981–82)
By Edwin D. Craun (NHC Fellow, 2002–03) The late medieval Church obliged all Christians to rebuke the sins of others, especially those who had power to discipline in Church and State: priests, confessors, bishops, judges, the Pope. This practice, in which the injured party had to confront the wrong-doer directly and privately, was known as … Continued
By Mark Csikszentmihalyi (NHC Fellow, 1997–98) This book reconstructs a neglected episode in the development of Confucianism, one that considerably influenced later Chinese religious thought. Material Virtue examines a set of four through first century B.C.E. Chinese texts that argue virtue has a physical correlate in the body. Based on both transmitted (e.g., the Mengzi or Mencius) … Continued
By Robert L. Simon (NHC Fellow, 1981–82) Sport plays a significant role in the lives of millions of people, both as participants and spectators, and affects the educational system, the economy, and the values of citizens. This gives rise to many conceptual and ethical questions. The book aims to clarify the philosophical presuppositions behind beliefs … Continued
By Allen R. Dyer (NHC Fellow, 1981–82) Ethical questions lie at the heart of all psychiatric dilemmas. Ethics and Psychiatry examines the day-to-day issues affecting medical ethics, such as confidentiality, informed con-sent and moral perfection. The book focuses on the ethics of professional advertising; examines the importance of privacy of the doctor-patient relationship, and illustrates … Continued