Not Guilty: A Defence of the Bottom Dog

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Blatchford, Robert, 1851-1943

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"Not Guilty: A Defence of the Bottom Dog" by Robert Blatchford is a philosophical treatise written in the early 20th century. The book addresses the concept of morality and justice from the perspective of those marginalized or oppressed in society, often referred to as the "Bottom Dog." The author challenges traditional views on punishment and morality, arguing for compassion and understanding toward individuals shaped by their circumstances of birth and environment. The opening of the text presents the author's apology to readers, emphasizing that he wishes to engage them in a straightforward discussion about serious societal issues rather than a dry academic treatise. Blatchford introduces his main argument, asserting that many social ills are not the result of individual sinfulness but are rooted in conditions beyond people's control, such as heredity and environment. He rejects the idea of punishing individuals simply for being born into harsh circumstances, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of what it means to be moral and just in a flawed society. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by David Widger

Notes:

Reading ease score: 68.5 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.

Release date is 2013-08-14