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THE HUMAN, LOVE, AND THE INNER LIFE: ETHICS AFTER MURDOCH

Paese, Annalisa (2018) THE HUMAN, LOVE, AND THE INNER LIFE: ETHICS AFTER MURDOCH. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Moral philosophy, it is often pointed out, can easily end up demolishing rather than advancing our ethical self-understanding. I offer an interpretation of Iris Murdoch’s analysis of this phenomenon that bears on questions about the moral status of human beings, the proper objects of moral assessment, and the relation between morality and love. According to the view I develop, moral philosophy is today, as it was at the time Murdoch was writing, largely unable to countenance the importance that the concept of a human being, inner life, and the capacity for love have in our ethical self-understanding. This is because of the enduring prevalence of the two assumptions Murdoch identified as the sources of this inability. These assumptions are (1) that volition and cognition are sharply separated powers, and (2) that empirical sciences set the standards for factuality. I argue that recognizing that these assumptions are not rationally compulsory, thereby freeing moral thought of their influence, makes possible a better understanding of the humanities and of their relation with the sciences.

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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Paese, Annalisaannalisa.paese@gmail.compaese0000-0002-3621-4209
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairMcDowell, Johnjmcdowel@pitt.edujmcdowel
Committee MemberThompson, Michaelmthompso@pitt.edumthompso
Committee MemberWhiting, Jenniferwhitingj@pitt.eduwhitingj
Committee MemberMachery, Edouardmachery@pitt.edumachery
Date: 27 September 2018
Date Type: Publication
Defense Date: 19 July 2018
Approval Date: 27 September 2018
Submission Date: 9 August 2018
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Number of Pages: 129
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Philosophy
Degree: PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
Thesis Type: Doctoral Dissertation
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: Iris Murdoch, Human Being, Love, Interiority
Date Deposited: 27 Sep 2018 20:09
Last Modified: 27 Sep 2018 20:09
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/35152

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