There has been growing interest among moral philosophers
in the revival of “virtue-based” and/or “honor-based” moral theories and
culture, as an alternative to the prevailing Western, post-Enlightenment, “dignity-based”
theories and cultures (duty or utility). This well-argued, well-written defense
of honor covers the traditional arguments for and against these major theories.
According to Sommers, one of most compelling arguments against dignity-based theories
and culture, especially in the United States, has been the rise of “zero-risk culture.”
He also contributes many new arguments for and against competing theories of dignity
and honor. Dignity-based cultures apply formalized, absolute, timelessly-universal
moral rules and/or cost-benefit analysis. Honor-based cultures apply informal, contextually-bound,
moral codes shaped by tradition. Many small-scale, male-dominated, honor-based cultures
in the West have survived; most notably via: police and fire departments, sports
teams (hockey) and urban gangs. I would have liked to see a bit more comparison
between European and American dignity cultures and why U.S. culture has become
more “risk averse,” a bit more on the role of the mass media in promulgating “dignity”
and thwarting “honor,” and more evolutionary psychology. Nevertheless, this is
a top-notch ethics textbook that both students and scholars will enjoy. It’s a
priority acquisition for all colleges and universities that teach ethics and
philosophy.
Reviewed for Choice Magazine by:
Ronald F. White, Ph.D.
Professor of Philosophy
Mount St. Joseph University
Monday, May 21, 2018
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