This book is a collection of twelve essays devoted to Michael Boylan's important work in moral philosophy,A Just Society. The collection is thematically organized to mirror Boylan's own volume, so the first half explores fundamental issues of justification in ethics while the second half focuses on issues involving ethical discourse, social justice, and the moral foundations of public policy. In their critical and engaging essays, the authors challenge many of the original and controversial arguments developed and defended by Boylan in his book, and Boylan responds in a lengthy and philosophically rich reply. The book will appeal both to philosophers working on the cutting edge of moral and political theory and to public policy practitioners working to make society more just.
John-Stewart Gordon teaches philosophy at Queen's University, Kingston, Canada.
Chapter 1 IntroductionChapter 2 Becoming Moral Agents: On the Personal Worldview ImperativeChapter 3 A Feminist Personal Worldview ImperativeChapter 4 Justification in Ethics: Desiring to Be Good and Ethical CommendationChapter 5 Justification in EthicsChapter 6 On the Possibility of a Hierarchy of Moral GoodsChapter 7 Michael Boylan on Religion and Ethics: An Appreciative Theological AssessmentChapter 8 Extinguishing Desire: Not a Simple Plan at AllChapter 9 Diversity and the Common Body of KnowledgeChapter 10 On JusticeChapter 11 Justice in "A Just Society"Chapter 12 Public Policy: Moving Toward Moral CosmopolitanismChapter 13 Establishing Global Health Obligations Amid Ethical Diversity: A Commentary on Boylan's "A Just Society"Chapter 14 Ethics, Metaethics, Political Theory, and Policy: A Reply to My ColleaguesPart 15 Definitions
Michael Boylan’s book A Just Society challenges old assumptions and advances a new analytical framework for understanding social justice. This important collection provides not only a full and vigorous engagement with Boylan’s novel moral-political theory, but also a fresh set of views on the nature, meaning and prospects of a just society today.