Moral Philosophers and the Novel

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-viii

   PDF

2. Introduction

   • Peter Johnson

   Pages 1-15

3. The Middle Ground

   • Peter Johnson

   Pages 16-30

4. Decent Signs

   • Peter Johnson

   Pages 31-38

5. Enter the Novel

   • Peter Johnson

   Pages 39-54

6. The Novel’s Gifts

   • Peter Johnson

   Pages 55-69

7. Fiction and the Good

   • Peter Johnson

   Pages 70-87

8. The Novel and Ethical Reflection

   • Peter Johnson

   Pages 88-104

9. Goods and Powers

   • Peter Johnson

   Pages 105-127

10. Truth Drops Out

    • Peter Johnson

    Pages 128-144

11. Versions of Events

    • Peter Johnson

    Pages 145-160

12. Fictions and Freedoms

    • Peter Johnson

    Pages 161-175

13. Conclusion

    • Peter Johnson

    Pages 176-183

14. Back Matter

    Pages 184-203

    PDF

In this fascinating study, Peter Johnson makes explicit the issues involved in using the novel as a source in moral philosophy. The book pays close attention to questions of method, aesthetic accounts of the novel and the nature of ethical knowledge. The views of leading philosophers are examined and criticised in the light of the book's distinctive contribution to the current debate.

• ethics
• fiction
• moral philosophy
• morality
• novel
• philosophy

'Peter Johnson's impressive study gives us an erudite and perceptive reading of recent work that has investigated the novel's role in ethical theory.' - Philosophical Writings

• Department of Philosophy, University of Southampton, UK

  Peter Johnson

PETER JOHNSON is a Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy, University of Southampton, UK. He has published widely in moral and political philosophy and on the philosopher R.G. Collingwood.

Policies and ethics