An examination and defence of the concept of personality, long central to Western moral culture but now increasingly under attack, by a leading European philosopher. It takes issue with major contemporary philosophers, especially in the English-speaking world (such as Parfit and Singer), who have
contributed to the eclipse of the idea, and traces the debate back to the foundations of modern philosophy in Descartes and Locke. There are extended discussions of the sources of the idea in Christian theology and its development in Western philosophy. There are also a number of pointed discussions
of pressing practical questions - for example, our treatment of the severely disabled human and the moral status of intelligent non-human animals. The book covers a great deal of ground before coming to a focused conclusion: all human beings are persons - and perhaps all porpoises, too!
Introduction
1. Why we Speak of Persons
2. Why we call Persons `Persons'
3. How we Identify Persons
4. The Negative
5. Intentionality
6. Transcendence
7. Fiction
8. Religion
9. Time
10. Death and the Future Perfect Tense
11. Independence of
Context
12. Subjects
13. Souls
14. Conscience
15. Recognition
16. Freedom
17. Promise and Forgiveness
18. Are All Human Beings Persons?
There are no Instructor/Student Resources available at this time.
Robert Spaemann is Emeritus Professor, University of Munich; Honorary Professor, University of Salzburg. Oliver O'Donovan is Regius Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology, University of Oxford.
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