Forgiveness and Mercy (Cambridge Studies in Philosophy and Law)

Forgiveness and Mercy (Cambridge Studies in Philosophy and Law)

This book focuses on the degree to which certain moral and legal doctrines are rooted in specific passions that are then institutionalized in the form of criminal law. A philosophical analysis is developed of the following questions: When, if ever, should hatred be overcome by sympathy or compassion? What are forgiveness and mercy and to what degree do they require--both conceptually and morally--the overcoming of certain passions and the motivation by other passions? If forgiveness and mercy indeed are moral virtues, what role, if any, should they play in the law? "Their analyses of these crucial emotions are clear, elegant and sufficiently controversial to initiate an exciting and much needed discussion of the proper role and the nature of the personal passions in social practice and theories." Robert C. Solomon, University of Texas, Austin "...an impressive book. Anyone who is interested in the topic ought to read it." Ethics "...provocatively rich work....The analysis is clear, careful, imaginative, and insightful." APA Newsletter on Teaching Philosophy This book explores the philosophical arguments about the nature of forgiveness, mercy and specific passions in the legal process. Used Book in Good Condition