Robert Nozick / A.R. Lacey.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Lacey, A. R. (Alan Robert)

Series:

Philosophy now (Princeton, N.J.)

Philosophy now

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Nozick, Robert--Criticism and interpretation.

Nozick, Robert.

Philosophy.

Criticism and interpretation.

Physical Description:

vii, 248 pages ; 23 cm.

Place of Publication:

Princeton, N.J. : Princeton University Press, [2001]

Summary:

Although best known for the hugely influential Anarchy, State, and Utopia (1974), Robert Nozick (b. 1938) has eschewed the label "political philosopher," as the vast majority of his writings have focused on other areas. Indeed, the breadth of Nozick's work is perhaps greater than that of any other contemporary philosopher. A. R. Lacey presents the first full discussion of Nozick's philosophy as a whole and critical reactions to it, spanning areas as diverse as ethics, epistemology, and philosophy of religion.

The book begins by examining Anarchy, State, and Utopia and moves on to Nozick's noted work on the theory of knowledge and his notion of "tracking the truth." Lacey explores the philosopher's metaphysical writings, including his "closet container theory" of personal identity, and his reflections on free will. He addresses the moral basis of Nozick's political philosophy in depth. Later chapters discuss his ideas of "symbolic utility," his evolutionary account of rationality, and his varying treatments of Newcomb's paradox. The book concludes with more general topics, including Nozick's thoughts on the meaning of life and what those who search for it are really looking for.

Throughout, Lacey finds themes that unite Nozick's diverse writings, noting, for example, his hostility to coercion of all kinds. Illuminating, informative, and clearly written, the book will be welcomed as an authoritative guide to Nozick's philosophical thinking.

Contents:

Introduction: analytic philosophy 1

Changes of interest 5

Nozick's change of approach: proof and explanation 6

Coercion 8

Explanation and understanding 12

Truth and the aim of philosophy 14

The unity of Nozick's philosophy 17

2 Anarchy, State, and Utopia: the moral basis 20

The role of the individual 23

The basis of rights 25

Animals and angels 28

Welfarist criticisms of Nozick 30

Libertarian criticisms of Nozick 32

The nature of rights 34

The theory of justice I: justice in transfer 37

Blurring the distinction 40

The theory of justice II: justice in acquisition and Locke's proviso 42

The theory of justice III: rectification and compensation 44

Nozick on Rawls 48

3 Anarchy, State, and Utopia: the political outcome 52

Explaining and justifying: the program 54

The execution I: the state of nature 57

The execution II: growth of the state 59

Practical objections 60

Objections of principle I: transitivity and compensation 62

Objections of principle II: procedural rights and incomplete knowledge 65

Utopia I: the framework 66

Utopia II: objections 68

4 The later ethics and politics 73

Ethics and motivation 74

Value as organic unity 78

Value and disvalue 81

Organic unity as value 82

Some criticisms 83

The basis of value 85

The ethical pull 88

Deontology and teleology: rights 89

The is/ought question 92

Political implications: symbolic utility 95

5 Epistemology 100

Introduction: internalism and externalism 100

Outline of Nozick's theory 102

Counterfactuals 104

Scepticism and closure 108

The price that Nozick pays 111

Some criticisms of Nozick 114

Internalism and externalism again 122

Evidence 125

6 Rationality 133

Introduction: rationality in general 133

Principles and their uses 135

Practical rationality in the dissertation 140

Decision theory I: the first two discussions 142

Decision theory II: the third discussion 146

Decision theory III: symbolic utility again 149

Belief and acceptance 151

Evolution and its role 153

Types and limits of rationality 156

7 Metaphysics I: personal identity 160

Introduction: identity in general 160

Nozick's theory 161

Personal identity I: general considerations 163

Personal identity II: ties and caring 166

Personal identity III: closeness 168

Interlude: the unity of Nozick's philosophy 170

Personal identity IV: the nature of the self 172

8 Metaphysics II: explaining existence 177

Introduction: "Why is there something rather than nothing?" 177

Nozick's approach 178

Fecundity 181

Self-subsumption 182

Limited fecundity 183

Wedin's criticisms 185

9 Metaphysics III: free will and retribution 188

The indeterministic approach 189

Tracking again 191

Retribution 193

10 The meaning of life 199

Introduction: conditions for meaningfulness 199

Ein Sof and its problems 201

Self-subsumption again 203

The dialectic of meaning and value 205

Conclusion: philosophy and the arts and sciences 206.

Notes:

Originally published: Chesham, UK : Acumen, 2001.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 221-233) and index.

ISBN:

0691090440

0691090459

OCLC:

47925533