PromisingTemple University Press, 3 de maig 2010 - 288 pàgines In this innovative study, William Vitek presents the act of promising as both a fundamental human experience and an ethically charged paradox in need of explanation and understanding. He evaluates contemporary approaches to promise by such philosophers as John Rawls, John Searle, Henry Sidgwick, Jan Narveson, P.S. Atiyah, H.A. Prichard, W.D. Ross, and Michael Robins. Citing their limited focus on promissory obligation, Vitek claims that promising should be seen as a complex social practice. The author demonstrates how a social practice account of promising succeeds where other approaches do not. With engaging examples of promises made in everyday life, in extraordinary circumstances, and in literary works, Vitek grapples with the central paradox of promising: that human beings can intend a future to which they are largely blind. Although the nature of promises has been much discussed in the context of other topics (e.g., theories of language, ethics, and law), this book offers a unique, focused treatment of the subject as a complex human activity that encompasses differing interpretations and changes in nature over time. Promising explores this activity that involves the use of intuition, judgment, and emotion and that has challenged people throughout history. |
Continguts
1 | |
Approaches to Promise The Contemporary Landscape | 35 |
Laced Up in Formulas Contemporary Approaches Considered | 95 |
Outlines of a Theory of Practice | 144 |
Promise as Practice | 190 |
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able account of promise actions approach to promise argues arise aspects of promise Atiyah baseball behavior Cambridge Chapter claims commitment complex conflicts constitutive rules criteria David Hume double-tensed duty engage Ethics evaluation and judgment example excusing conditions explain future H.L.A. Hart human Hume Ibid imitation institution of promising institutional approach intentional approach interpretations intuitions Jan Narveson John Rawls John Searle Joseph Raz judge keeping promises Maggie moral Narveson novice one's Oxford P. S. Atiyah person philosophical phonemic play possible prac practice approach practice of promise practice roles practitioners proficient prom promisee's promises create obligations promisor promisor and promisee promissory obligation question raised expectations Rawls recognize Robins role models rulelike formulations rules of chess rules of promise Scottish Enlightenment Searle Searle's social practice speech act spontaneous order tell theory of practice theory of promise tice tions University Press W. D. Ross words