Psychology and the Natural Law of Reparation

This 2006 book adds an extra dimension to the argument surrounding universal values of right and wrong.

C. Fred Alford (Author)

9780521184373, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 17 February 2011

182 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.1 cm, 0.28 kg

"Psychology and the Natural Law of Reparation seeks to invigorate the latent resonance of reparation and natural law contained within our culture and evident to us through our history. And for that reason alone, his arguments are worthy of our consideration." - James M. Hepburn, PsycCritiques

Are there universal values of right and wrong, good and bad, shared by virtually every human? The tradition of natural law argues that there is. Drawing on the work of psychoanalyst Melanie Klein, whose analyses have touched upon issues related to original sin, trespass, guilt, and salvation through reparation, in this 2006 book C. Fred Alford adds an extra dimension to this argument: we know natural law to be true because we have hated before we have loved and have wished to destroy before we have wanted to create. Natural law is built upon the desire to make reparation for the goodness we have destroyed, or have longed to destroy. Through reparation, we earn salvation from the most hateful part of ourselves, that which would destroy what we know to be good.

Preface
1. Antigone and the natural law
2. Younger people, relativism, and the natural law
3. Natural law and natural evil
4. Making reparation moral.

Subject Areas: Political science & theory [JPA], Social, group or collective psychology [JMH], Social & political philosophy [HPS]