This book makes a case for the permissibility of reactive blame - the angry, harmful variety. Blame is a thorny philosophical problem, as it is notoriously difficult to specify the conditions under which an agent is deserving of blame, is deserving of blame in the basic sense, and furthermore why this is so. Kelly McCormick argues that sharpening the focus to reactive, angry blame can both show us how best to characterize the problem itself, and suggest a possible solution to it, because even reactive blame is both valuable and deserved in the basic sense. Finally, McCormick shows how, despite the many facets of the dark side of blame, adopting an explicitly victim-centered approach highlights a powerful argument from empathy for retaining reactive blame and its attendant attitudes and practices.

Explores the problem of blame in moral philosophy, setting out a new theory of blame, free will, and moral responsibility.

About the Author
Kelly McCormick is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Texas Christian University. She has published a number of articles on blame, desert, and moral responsibility in journals including Philosophical Studies, The Journal of Value Inquiry, and The Journal of Ethics & Social Philosophy.

Reviews
'This is an innovative book that tackles first-order questions about what makes angry blame deserved as well as methodological questions about the concept of moral responsibility. McCormick doesn't shy away from the hard questions, and theorists of all stripes will learn from her framework, even when they disagree with it.' Neal Tognazzini, Western Washington University



Book Information
ISBN 9781108842259
Author Kelly McCormick
Format Hardback
Page Count 256
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 490g
Dimensions(mm) 235mm * 157mm * 15mm