The subject of virtue : an anthropology of ethics and freedom / James Laidlaw.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Laidlaw, James.

Series:

New departures in anthropology

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Anthropological ethics.

Ethics--Anthropological aspects.

Ethics.

Physical Description:

x, 258 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2014.

Summary:

"The anthropology of ethics has become an important and fast-growing field in recent years. This book argues that it represents not just a new subfield within anthropology but a conceptual renewal of the discipline as a whole, enabling it to take account of a major dimension of human conduct which social theory has so far failed adequately to address. An ideal introduction for students and researchers in anthropology and related human sciences. [bullet] Shows how ethical concepts such as virtue, character, freedom and responsibility may be incorporated into anthropological analysis [bullet] Surveys the history of anthropology's engagement with morality [bullet] Examines the relevance for anthropology of two major philosophical approaches to moral life"-- Provided by publisher.

"The anthropology of ethics has become an important and fast-growing field in recent years. This book argues that it represents not just a new subfield within anthropology but a conceptual renewal of the discipline as a whole, enabling it to take account of a major dimension of human conduct which social theory has so far failed adequately to address. An ideal introduction for students and researchers in anthropology and related human sciences"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

1. Beyond the science of unfreedom

2. Virtue ethics : philosophy with an ethnographic stance?

3. Foucault's genealogy and the undefined work of freedom

4. The 'question of freedom' in anthropology

5. Taking responsibility seriously

6. The reluctant cannibal.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781107028463

1107028469

9781107697317

110769731X

OCLC:

851285438

Online:

Cover image