Ethical Sentimentalism

This book offers a comprehensive examination of ethical sentimentalism, exploring its implications for morality and emotion in contemporary ethical discourse.

This volume delves into the intricate relationship between morality and emotion, a pivotal topic in contemporary ethics. The book offers a thorough exploration of 'ethical sentimentalism'—the idea that moral values and judgments are deeply intertwined with human emotions. It serves as a crucial resource for philosophy students, researchers, and professionals in political theory and psychological sciences alike.

In recent years, there has been a notable resurgence of interest in ethical sentimentalism, a moral theory that finds its roots in the Scottish Enlightenment. This theory suggests that a realistic understanding of human psychology can ground our conception of morality, emphasizing the significant role that emotions play in our moral lives. However, this perspective faces philosophical challenges, particularly concerning how to reconcile the limited nature of human motivation and the influence of personal and cultural circumstances with the universal and objective aspects of moral judgment.

The essays contained within this volume provide a comprehensive evaluation of the sentimentalist project, addressing these philosophical difficulties head-on. Each contribution offers critical insights, innovative solutions to key challenges, and new pathways for the development of ethical sentimentalism. Overall, this volume stands as the first extensive assessment of 'sentimentalism'—one of the most influential moral theories in modern philosophy.