Ethics, Evil, and Fiction [Paperback]

McGinn's latest brings together moral philosophy and literary analysis in a way that illuminates both. Setting out to enrich the domain of moral reflection by showing the value of literary texts as sources of moral illumination, McGinn starts by setting out an uncompromisingly realist ethical theory, arguing that morality is an area of objective truth and genuine knowledge. He goes on to address such subjects as the nature of goodness, evil character, and the meaning of monstrosity in the context of an aesthetic theory of virtue, which maintains that goodness of character is the same thing as beauty of soul. Looking at such literary works asBilly Budd,Lolita,The Picture of Dorian Gray, andFrankenstein, as well as examples from film and painting,Ethics, Evil, and Fictionis an original and compelling book by a leading philosopher who is also a critic and novelist.

1. Introduction: The Scope of Moral Philosophy
2. Goodness
3. Knowledge of Goodness
4. The Evil Character
5. Beauty of Soul
6. The Picture: Dorian Gray
7. Who Is Frankenstein's Monster?
8. Conclusion: Stories and Morals
Bibliography; Index