Hobbes and the Two Faces of Ethics

Uncovers Hobbes's distinction between reasons of the good and the right, which was a watershed in the history of ethics.

Arash Abizadeh (Author)

9781108417297, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 1 November 2018

298 pages
23.5 x 15.7 x 1.8 cm, 0.6 kg

'This reading is powerful, and convincing … the book must be judged a success, and an impressive one - saying something new about Hobbes is not easy, and saying it this convincingly is even more exceptional … rewarding book.' Paul Sagar, Hobbes Studies

Reading Hobbes in light of both the history of ethics and the conceptual apparatus developed in recent work on normativity, this book challenges received interpretations of Hobbes and his historical significance. Arash Abizadeh uncovers the fundamental distinction underwriting Hobbes's ethics: between prudential reasons of the good, articulated via natural laws prescribing the means of self-preservation, and reasons of the right or justice, comprising contractual obligations for which we are accountable to others. He shows how Hobbes's distinction marks a watershed in the transition from the ancient Greek to the modern conception of ethics, and demonstrates the relevance of Hobbes's thought to current debates about normativity, reasons, and responsibility. His book will interest Hobbes scholars, historians of ethics, moral philosophers, and political theorists.

Preface
Introduction
Part I. The Metaethics of Reasons: 1. Naturalism
2. Mind, action, and reasoning
Part II. Reasons of the Good
3. Subjectivism, instrumentalism, and prudentialism about reasons
4. A theory of the good: felicity by anticipatory pleasure
Part III. Reasons of the Right: 5. Accountability and obligations
6. The laws of nature, morality, and justice
7. Rational agency and personhood
Conclusion: naturalism and normativity.

Subject Areas: Ethics & moral philosophy [HPQ], Western philosophy: c 1600 to c 1900 [HPCD]