Lack of Character: Personality and Moral Behavior

ISBN-13: 9780521608909 / Angielski / Miękka / 2005 / 288 str.

John M. Doris

Opis

This book is a provocative contribution to contemporary ethics and moral psychology, challenging fundamental assumptions about character dating to Aristotle. John Doris draws on an array of social scientific research, especially experimental social psychology, to argue that people often grossly overestimate the behavioral impact of character and grossly underestimate the behaviorial impact of situations. Circumstance, Doris concludes, often has extraordinary influence on what people do, whatever sort of character they may appear to have. He then considers the implications of this observation for a range of issues in ethics, arguing that with more realistic picture effect, cognition, and motivation, moral psychology can support more compelling ethical theories and more humane ethical practices.

Recenzje

'Of course, this work does not constitute a 'how-to' ethical rulebook, but it has an appealing and distressing message to those in the field of ethical practice … It is the author's intention to shed light on the situational factors influencing moral behaviour … I feel that this is an excellent book, although it seems to be missing two interesting viewpoints … the book gives an excellent overview of experimental social psychology in the domain of moral behaviour. It indeed demonstrates the poweful influence situational differences have upon moral behaviour … it is interesting for social psychologists because it summarises a field of research with great relevance outside the strict scientific commune and, hence, legitimises the discipline to a considerable extent … the book seems extremely interesting for ethicists and others studying moral behaviour, as well as people confronted with ethical dilemmas in their daily practices.' Ethical Perspectives

Spis treści

Preface: a renaissance of virtue; 1. Joining the hunt; 2. Character and consistency; 3. Moral character, moral behavior; 4. The fragmentation of character; 5. Judging character; 6. From psychology to ethics; 7. Situation and responsibility; 8. Is there anything to be ashamed of?