Kierkegaard's Ethic of Love: Divine Commands and Moral Obligations

by C. Stephen Evans

Overview

C. Stephen Evans explains and defends Kierkegaard's account of moral obligations as rooted in God's commands, the fundamental command being ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself'. The work will be of interest not only to those interested in Kierkegaard, but also to those interested in the relation between ethics and religion, especially questions about whether morality can or must have a religious foundation. As well as providing a comprehensive reading of Kierkegaard as an ethical thinker, Evans puts him into conversation with contemporary moral theorists. Kierkegaard's divine command theory is shown to be an account that safeguards human flourishing, as well as protecting the proper relations between religion and state in a pluralistic society.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199272174
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	11/11/2004
Pages:	376
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 5.80(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

C. Stephen Evans is Professor of Philosophy and Humanities at Baylor University.

Table of Contents

1. God and Moral Obligation: Is a Link Possible? 2. The Ethical as a ‘Stage' of Existence: Either/Or and Radical Choice3. ‘The Ethical' in Fear and Trembling4. The Ethical Task as the Human Task5. Divine Commands as the Basis for Moral Obligation6. The Humanistic Character of Commanded Love7. Divine Commands: How Given and To Whom? 8. Who Is My Neighbour? Can Love Be a Duty? 9. Neighbour Love, Natural Loves, and Social Relations10. Contemporary Meta-Ethical Alternatives: Evolutionary Naturalism11. Contemporary Meta-Ethical Alternatives: Humanistic Naturalism12. Contemporary Meta-Ethical Alternatives: Relativism and Nihilism13. Conclusions: Divine Command Morality in a Pluralistic Society