Anarchism And Moral Philosophy

This collection explores the nature and role of ethics within anarchist thought and practice, examining normative, meta-ethical and applied ethical issues through some of the theoretical insights of anarchism. It comprises contributions from international scholars working within the fields of philosophy and political theory.

What are the core features of an anarchist ethics? Why do some anarchisms identify themselves as anti-moral or amoral? And what are the practical outcomes of ethical analysis for anarchist and post-anarchist practice? This book shows how we can identify and evaluate different forms of anarchism through their ethical principles, and we can identify these ethics in the evolving anarchist organizations, tactics and forms of critique. The book outlines the various key anarchist positions, explaining how the identification of their ethical positions provides a substantive basis to classify rival traditions of thought. It describes the different ideological structures of anarchism in terms of their conceptual organization integrated into their main material practices, highlighting that there is no singular anarchism. It goes on to assess distinctive approaches for identifying and categorizing anarchism, and argues that it is best viewed not as a movement that prioritizes rights and liberal accounts of autonomy, or that prescribes specific revolutionary goals, but as a way to challenge hierarchies of power in the generation of social goods. Finally, the book uses case studies from contemporary issues in educational practice and pertinent political conflicts to demonstrate the practical applicability of a virtue approaches to anarchism.

This book presents an argument for egalitarian anarchism (understood as a moral theory) and sheds light on numerous debates in political philosophy. It argues that social anarchism is a coherent philosophical position that follows from a more plausible principle that constrains which moral theories are acceptable.

“Brains before bullets” – ancient and modern wisdom for “mechanics and motorcycle enthusiasts” Essential reading for fans of the show, this book takes readers deeper into the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, the Teller-Morrow family, and the ethics that surround their lives and activities. Provides fascinating moral insights into Sons of Anarchy, its key characters, plot lines and ideas Investigates compelling philosophical issues centering on loyalty, duty, the ethics of war, authority, religion and whether the ends justify the means Teaches complex philosophical ideas in a way that’s accessible to the general interest reader in order to inspire them to further reading of the great philosophers Authors use their deep knowledge of the show to illuminate themes that are not always apparent even to die-hard fans

Brill’s Companion to Anarchism and Philosophy offers a broad thematic overview of the relationship between anarchism and philosophy.

Political obligation refers to the moral obligation of citizens to obey the law of their state and to the existence, nature, and justification of a special relationship between a government and its constituents. This volume in the Contemporary Anarchist Studies series challenges this relationship, seeking to define and defend the position of critical philosophical anarchism against alternative approaches to the issue of justification of political institutions. The book sets out to demonstrate the value of taking an anarchist approach to the problem of political authority, looking at theories of natural duty, state justification, natural duty of justice, fairness, political institutions, and more. It argues that the anarchist perspective is in fact indispensable to theorists of political obligation and can improve our views of political authority and social relations. This accessible book builds on the works of philosophical anarchists such as John Simmons and Leslie Green, and discusses key theorists, including Rousseau, Rawls, and Horton. This key resource will make an important contribution to anarchist political theory and to anarchist studies more generally.

This book examines the central questions concerning the duty to obey the law: the meaning of this duty; whether and where it should be acknowledged; and whether and when it should be disregarded. Many contemporary philosophers deny the very existence of this duty, but take a cautious stance towards political disobedience. This 'toothless anarchism', Professor Gans argues, should be discarded in favour of a converse position confirming the existence of a duty to obey the law which can be outweighed by values and principles of political morality. Informed by the Israeli experience of political disobedience motivated by radically differing moral outlooks, the author sets out the principles which should guide our attitude to law and political authority even amidst clashing ideologies and irreconcilable moralities. This book will be of interest to students and scholars of law, philosophy and politics, and anyone concerned with the individual's responsibilities toward his or her political community.

In Defense of Anarchism is a 1970 book by the philosopher Robert Paul Wolff, in which the author defends individualist anarchism. He argues that individual autonomy and state authority are mutually exclusive and that, as individual autonomy is inalienable, the moral legitimacy of the state collapses.