Rational Commitment and Social Justice: Essays for Gregory Kavka

Cambridge University Press, 3/4/1999
EAN 9780521631792, ISBN10: 0521631793

Hardcover, 262 pages, 22.9 x 15.2 x 1.6 cm
Language: English

Gregory S. Kavka (1947–94) was a prominent and influential figure in contemporary moral and political philosophy. The essays in this volume are concerned with fundamental issues of rational commitment and social justice to which Kavka devoted his work as a philosopher. The essays take Kavka's work as a point of departure and seek to advance the respective debates. The topics include: the relationship between intention and moral action as part of which Kavka's famous 'toxin puzzle' is a focus of discussion, the nature of deterrence, the rationality of morals, contractarian ethics, and the contemporary relevance of Hobbes' political thought. Incorporating important philosophical statements of problems and fresh contributions to the ongoing debate about rational intention this volume will interest not just philosophers but also political scientists and economists.

Acknowledgements
List of contributors
Introduction
the moral and political philosophy of Gregory Kavka Christopher W. Morris
1. Some personal memories Tyler Burge
2. The shadow of the future Brian Skyrms
3. A new paradox of deterrence Daniel M. Farrell
4. Rethinking the toxin puzzle David Gauthier
5. Toxin, temptation, and the stability of intention Michael E. Bratman
6. The toxin puzzle Gilbert Harman
7. Religion and morality in Hobbes Edwin Curley
8. Contemporary uses of Hobbes' political philosophy S. A. Lloyd
9. The knavish humean Jean Hampton
10. Some considerations in favour of contractualism Gary Watson
11. Justice, reasons and moral standing Christopher W. Morris
12. Wrongful life
paradoxes in the morality of causing people to exist Jeff McMahan
Gregory S. Kavka's writings.