John Kekes Bücher

In this book, John Kekes discusses the hard questions we all must face in the course of our lives. How should we respond to evil? Do we owe what our country asks of us? Does it make us better to be ashamed of what we have done? Is it always good to be true to who we are? Do good intentions justify bad actions? John Kekes argues that such questions are hard because reasonable answers to them often conflict. He shows how their conflicts can be resolved and how we can best cope with these problems.

Focusing on the strengths of contemporary Western democracies, this book delves into the intricacies of their political systems, highlighting their appeal and effectiveness. It examines the components that contribute to their success, providing insights into the mechanisms that make these democracies desirable on a global scale, despite their imperfections. Through a thorough analysis, it aims to enhance the reader's understanding of political art and practice within these frameworks.

Evil is the most serious of our moral problems.

John Kekes, a Professor of Philosophy at SUNY Albany, has authored eleven previous works, including his latest titles, "Pluralism in Philosophy: Changing the Subject" and "The Art of Life," both published by Cornell. His academic contributions explore various philosophical themes, showcasing his expertise in the field.

Exploring the shift from dogmatism to pluralism in societal values, the author examines contemporary moral and political dilemmas such as abortion and environmental issues. He argues that while dogmatism insists on a single justifiable value system, pluralism acknowledges multiple systems without descending into chaos. By asserting that good lives can be reasonable without adhering to one true pattern, the author presents a pluralistic framework for understanding values, along with its implications across moral, political, and personal domains.

The author presents a critique of the assumptions that lie behind liberal policies. John Kekes demonstrates that individual autonomy is only one among the necessary conditions of human well-being and that peace, social cohesion and a healthy environment are just as important.

The book explores the essential role of enjoyment in achieving a fulfilling life, emphasizing the importance of cultivating a lifestyle that harmonizes personal values with actions. John Kekes advocates for a pluralistic approach to moral thought, encouraging readers to reflect on practical ways to enhance their existence. Through this examination, he seeks to redefine what it means to live well by aligning one's deepest concerns with everyday choices and behaviors.

John Kekes offers a response to the growing disenchantment in the Western world with contemporary life. He defends a realistic view of the human condition that rejects both facile optimism and gloomy pessimism. While acknowledging that the scheme of things is indifferent to our fortunes, he shows that we do have the resources to improve our lives.

Introduction -- Absolutist morality -- Individual autonomy -- Reflective self-evaluation -- Unconditional love -- Strong evaluation -- Narrative unity -- Practical reason -- Inescapable reflection -- Necessary truthfulness -- Conclusion.

In his latest book, esteemed philosopher John Kekes draws on anthropology, history, and literature in order to help us cope with the common predicaments that plague us as we try to take control of our lives. In each chapter he offers fascinating new ways of thinking about a particular problem that is fundamental to how we live, such as facing difficult choices, uncontrollable contingencies, complex evaluations, the failures of justice, the miasma of boredom, and the inescapable hypocrisies of social life. Kekes considers how we might deal with these predicaments by comparing how others in different times and cultures have approached them. He examines what is good, bad, instructive, and dangerous in the sexually charged politics of the Shilluk, the Hindu caste system, Balinese role-morality, the religious passion of Cortes and Simone Weil, the fate of Colonel Hiromichi Yahara during and after the battle for Okinawa, the ritual human sacrifices of the Aztecs, and the tragedies to which innocence may lead. In doing so, he shakes us out of our deep-seated ways of thinking, enlarging our understanding of the possibilities available to us as we struggle with the problems that stand in the way of how we want to live. The result is a highly interesting journey through time and space that illuminates and helps us cope with some of the most basic predicaments we all face as human beings.