The Moral Self [Hardcover]

The Moral Self addresses the question of how morality enters into our lives. Pauline Chazan draws upon psychology, r ral philosophy and literary interpretation to rebut the view that morality's role is to limit desire and control self-love. Perserving the ancients' connection between what is good for the self and what is morally good, Chazan argues that a certain kind of care for the self is central to moral agency. Her intriguing argument begins with a critical examination of the views of Hume, Rousseau and Hegel. The constructive part of the book takes a more unusual turn by synthesising the work on the analyst Heinz Kohut and Aristotle into Chazan's own positive account, which is then illustrated by the use of Russian literature.The Moral Self offers a dynamic, interdisciplinary slant on the discussion of moral theory, and will be of great interest and use to students of philosophy as well as psychology.Introduction I Hume on self-valuing and moral selfhood II Rousseau: the generators of self-valuing and the constitution of the moral self III Hegel: ethical self-valuing and the constitution of the moral self IV Aristotle and Kohut: converging perspectives V Significant action and the self VI Valuing the self and moral life VII The ethical significance of love of self VIII Love of self and morality: the search for good and evil, ConclusionPauline Chazan lectures in Philosophy at La Trobe University in Victoria, Australia.US? 1998 Pauline Chazan