In Praise of Blame [Hardcover]

Blame is an unpopular and neglected notion: it goes against the grain of a therapeutically-oriented culture and has received relatively little philosophical attention. This book discusses questions about its nature, normative status, and relation to character. The book's most important conclusion is that blame is inseparable from morality itself.

Blame is often blamed for souring people and sparking or prolonging conflict. It is also often accused of having conceptual presuppositions that render it incoherent. But what exactly is blame? What is its relation to character, principle, responsibility, and reactive attitudes? Sher'sIn Praise ofBlameanswers these questions succintly and persuasively. ... Sher's book is careful and penetrating. Everyone interested in blame should study it. --Brad Hooker,Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

George Sheris Herbert S. Autrey Professor of Philosophy at Rice University.