Existence and the good : metaphysical necessity in morals and politics / Franklin I. Gamwell.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Gamwell, Franklin I.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Ethics.

Theism.

Metaphysics.

Religion and ethics.

Democracy--Philosophy.

Democracy.

Democracy--Religious aspects.

Physical Description:

x, 209 pages ; 18 cm

Place of Publication:

Albany : State University of New York Press, [2011]

Summary:

Gamwell (emeritus, religious ethics, theology, and philosophy of religion; U. of Chicago) explores two related interests that have long occupied him. One is the importance of metaphysical necessity--specifically a theistic metaphysics--to a critical understanding of human life within its surroundings. The second is the importance of teleology, a comprehensive good, to moral and political theory. He considers in turn the metaphysics of existence, subjectivity, God and the world, human purpose, and democracy. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Contents:

Chapter 1 The Metaphysics of Existence 17

The Western Background 19

The Necessity of Existence 22

The Task of Metaphysics 30

Chapter 2 The Metaphysics of Subjectivity 39

Totality and Meaning 39

Totality Is Prior to Meaning 49

Chapter 3 The Metaphysics of God and the World 59

Final Real Things 59

The Divine Individual 71

God and the World 85

Chapter 4 The Metaphysics of Human Purpose 93

Decision for a Self-Understanding 93

The Comprehensive Good 101

Human Purposes 107

The Good of Human Rights 115

Chapter 5 The Metaphysics of Democracy, Part 1 127

Introduction 127

Democracy without Metaphysics 130

Democracy without Metaphysics: A Critique 135

Chapter 6 The Metaphysics of Democracy, Part 2 147

The Principle of Communicative Respect 147

Constitutional Principles of Justice 156

Democracy and Substantive Justice 164

Democracy and the Comprehensive Good 171.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781438435930

1438435932

OCLC:

657079943