Contemporary Debates in Social Philosophy [Paperback] Thomas, Laurence

Product Description In this important and engaging volume, international scholars present opposing viewpoints to debate ten of the most important issues in contemporary social philosophy. Provides an original analysis of some of society’s most pressing issues Written by an outstanding cast of international scholars Issues covered include the nature of freedom, the limits of religious tolerance, affirmative action, parenting, the death penalty, privacy, violence, world hunger, social diversity, homosexuality, and abortion Invites the reader to participate in the exchange of arguments Review "Thomas has put renowned scholars in debate with each other and the result is a collection of stimulating debates of the highest order. In these well-written and argued articles, one is treated to the best of scholarly argumentation. One may not agree with all that is said. Nevertheless, one will find that after reading this volume one will have a better understanding of the importance of what Thomas calls 'virtuous disagreement'." Bill E. Lawson, University of Memphis“Volume combines practical ethics and political philosophy in a somewhat unusual way; it has quite a lot of reasonable material on race and affirmative action.” Metapsychology Book Description Contemporary Debates in Social Philosophy offers engaging and original analyses of some of society's most significant and current concerns, with an international cast of scholars presenting sharply opposing viewpoints across ten debates. The text begins with an introductory essay that provides an overview of the topics and a discussion of their relevance to social philosophy today. It then moves on to consider a broad range of social and political issues, including the nature of freedom, the limits of religious tolerance, group rights and ethnic identity, affirmative action, conceptions of parenting, the death penalty, privacy laws, world hunger, homosexuality, and abortion. Ideal for university courses, this text offers a balanced range of opinion and perspective, probes the basic questions concerning the nature of a free and just society, and invites the reader to participate in the critical exchange of arguments. From the Inside Flap Contemporary Debates in Social Philosophy offers engaging and original analyses of some of society’s most significant and current concerns, with an international cast of scholars presenting sharply opposing viewpoints across ten debates. The text begins with an introductory essay that provides an overview of the topics and a discussion of their relevance to social philosophy today. It then moves on to consider a broad range of social and political issues, including the nature of freedom, the limits of religious tolerance, group rights and ethnic identity, affirmative action, conceptions of parenting, the death penalty, privacy laws, world hunger, homosexuality, and abortion.Ideal for university courses, this text offers a balanced range of opinion and perspective, probes the basic questions concerning the nature of a free and just society, and invites the reader to participate in the critical exchange of arguments. From the Back Cover Contemporary Debates in Social Philosophy offers engaging and original analyses of some of society’s most significant and current concerns, with an international cast of scholars presenting sharply opposing viewpoints across ten debates. The text begins with an introductory essay that provides an overview of the topics and a discussion of their relevance to social philosophy today. It then moves on to consider a broad range of social and political issues, including the nature of freedom, the limits of religious tolerance, group rights and ethnic identity, affirmative action, conceptions of parenting, the death penalty, privacy laws, world hunger, homosexuality, and abortion.Ideal for university courses, this text offers a balanced range of opinion and perspective, probe