Samuel Fleischacker Livres

Focusing on the intersection of faith and reason, Samuel Fleischacker provides a compelling defense of revealed religions, challenging the perception that they are irrational and outdated. He argues for their compatibility with modern science and liberal moral values, aiming to reshape the discourse around religious texts as divine revelations. Through his analysis, Fleischacker seeks to highlight the positive aspects of revealed religions and their potential to foster ethical frameworks in contemporary society.

Exploring the complexities of empathy, Samuel Fleischacker examines Adam Smith's concept of "sympathy," which aligns closely with modern interpretations of empathy while acknowledging individual differences. By analyzing Smith's insights alongside contemporary research, Fleischacker argues that true empathy involves understanding another's perspective without losing one's own identity. This approach not only bridges human divides but also enhances current discussions about the role and significance of empathy in society, offering a deeper appreciation of its potential.

Programs of ethical relativism notoriously face two great 1) how can they account for our need to make ethical judgements about other groups and individuals with whom we come into conflict? and 2) how can they allow for us to criticize the group, set of desires, etc. to which our ethical norms are said to be relative?Integrity and Moral Relativism develops a moderate version of cultural relativism that can answer these questions. After examining and defending the notion of a "world-picture," and of incommensurable differences across world-pictures, the book brings its theoretical framework together with the history of anthropology to argue that a culture is indeed the appropriate expression of a world picture. It then draws on literary, philosophical and historical resources to illustrate the way in which Western society, specifically, contains traditions distinguishing legitimate cross-cultural judgment, and legitimate from illegitimate cultural self-criticism. As long as there is a language for these possibilities, an individual can see ethics as culturally based without compromising his or her integrity.

Exploring a nuanced definition of liberty, Samuel Fleischacker draws from the philosophies of Kant and Adam Smith to propose that true freedom is rooted in the capacity for judgment. He argues that this understanding differs from both the pursuit of desires and the adherence to rational will. By analyzing key texts, Fleischacker emphasizes that good judgment thrives in supportive social and political environments, yet remains an individual responsibility. This work challenges conventional notions of liberty by highlighting the importance of personal agency in exercising judgment.

Religions that center around a revelation-or a 'good book', which is seen as God's word-are widely regarded as irrational and dangerous, based on outdated science and conducive to illiberal, inhumane moral attitudes. Samuel Fleischacker offers a powerful defense of revealed religion, and reconciles it with science and liberal morality.

Fleischacker explores the philosophical underpinnings of Adam Smith's influential economic work, emphasizing how Smith's epistemology, moral theory, and philosophy of science illuminate his ideas. He argues that Smith views social science through the lens of common sense rather than mathematics, highlights the moral justification for capitalism, and presents a strong belief in human equality that aligns with modern concepts of distributive justice. This commentary offers a deeper understanding of Smith's thoughts beyond mere economic principles.

This engaging and lucid book explains and assesses Kant's philosophy of Enlightenment. Including helpful chapter summaries and guides to further reading, it is ideal for anyone studying Kant or the Enlightenment, as well students of politics, history and religious studies.

Fleischacker defends revealed religion, emphasizing its authoritative texts and teachings. He explores how it can coexist with secular cognitive and moral practices, promoting collaboration among individuals of differing faiths. By bridging these perspectives, he illustrates the potential for unity and understanding in a diverse society.

Adam Smith (1723–1790) is widely regarded as one of the great thinkers of the Enlightenment period. Best-known for his founding work of economics, The Wealth of Nations , Smith engaged equally with the nature of morality in his Theory of Moral Sentiments . He also gave lectures on literature and jurisprudence, and wrote papers on art and science . In this outstanding philosophical introduction Samuel Fleischacker argues that Smith is a superb example of the broadly curious thinkers who flourished in the Enlightenment―for whom morality, politics, law, and economics were just a few of the many fascinating subjects that could be illuminated by naturalistic modes of investigation. After a helpful overview of his life and work, Fleischacker examines the full range of Smith’s thought, on such subjects as: Including chapter summaries, suggestions for further reading, and a glossary, Adam Smith is essential reading for those studying ethics, political philosophy, the history of philosophy, and the Enlightenment, as well as those reading Smith in related disciplines such as economics, law, and religion.