Lexington Books
Pages: 228
Trim: 6 x 9
978-0-7391-9175-0 • Hardback • December 2015 • $93.00 • (£65.00)
978-0-7391-9176-7 • eBook • December 2015 • $88.00 • (£60.00)
Audrey Anton is assistant professor of philosophy at Western Kentucky University.
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Sourcehood
Chapter 3: Sentiment Views
Chapter 4: Reasons-responsive Views
Chapter 5: Putting the Cart before the Horse
Chapter 6: Moral Attitudes
Chapter 7: Applications and Implications
Chapter 8: Conclusion
This is, broadly speaking, Anton’s project. It’s an intriguing one, which should interest anyone preoccupied with philosophical questions concerning praise, blame, or, more generally, moral responsibility. It’s also timely. Theorists have increasingly approached questions of moral responsibility by first considering the nature and propriety of praise and blame. Those interested in such an approach should find plenty to engage with here.— Journal of Moral Philosophy
Moral Responsibility and Desert of Praise and Blame is a well-written book that investigates complex issues in the metaphysics of moral responsibility. Among its contributions is an impressive discussion of sourcehood, sentiment, and reason-responsibility views of moral responsibility, including pluses and minuses of each view. Some traditional disputes are avoided but there is a solid understanding of the literature as well as provocative theses offered along the way. Is causal responsibility necessary for moral responsibility? Wait and see. This is a book worth reading and discussing.— Joe Campbell, Washington State University
Anton provides a refreshing take on the topic of moral responsibility. By taking praise and blame as her central categories, she opens up new lines of inquiry in established debates.— Linda Radzik, Professor of Philosophy, Texas A&M University