1. Introduction Part I: Philosophy and Religion in Public Policy 2. On Applying Ethics: Who's Afraid of Plato's Cave 3. Religion, Public Reason and Humanism: Kurtz on Fallibilism and Ethics Part II: Experimentalism, Problem Construction and Priorities 4. What Experimentalism Means in Ethics 5. Construction, Art and Politics 6. Philosophy and Public Policy Prioritization Part III: New Technologies and Experiments in Judging 7. Stop Him! He Stole My Internet Connection! 8. Activist vs Active Judges: Examples of Experimentalists 9. Conclusion Bibliography Index.
Informed by the pragmatism of John Dewey, this book argues the practical benefits for public policy of a rigorous experimentalist approach to applying moral theory.
Eric Thomas Weber is assistant professor of Public Policy Leadership at the University of Mississippi, USA. He has published in Human Studies, Review of Policy Research, Skepsis, William James Studies, Contemporary Pragmatism, and Transactions of the Charles S. Peirce Society. He is the author of Rawls, Dewey, and Constructivism (Continuum, 2010).
‘If there was ever any doubt that philosophy belongs to the real
world - in the realm of legislatures and leadership - Weber's book
lays it to rest. By a marvelously rich development of the pragmatic
experimental method, the author shows how philosophy can make
central contributions to dealing with some of our most vexing moral
problems. Lucid thinking and accessible style make the book's
lasting insights unmistakable. A must-read for both philosophers
and community leaders.' - John Lachs, Centennial Professor of
Philosophy, Vanderbilt University, USA
‘I cannot urge strongly enough the consideration of this ingenious,
well-written study for inclusion in the policy curriculum. We
seldom have a book that is both original and practical, and this
work is both. We have a major problem in the world today, a
shortfall in ethical understanding that is producing dire
consequences for every level of government. We need to spark
interest in the ethical dimensions of policy studies, and Professor
Weber has provided us with both the spark and the tinder. I will
make good use of his study, and hope others will too.' - Paul Rich,
President, Policy Studies Organization
‘Eric Weber has written a much-needed book. Many commentators
lament the prevalence of ideological rigidity in American politics.
At the same time, defenders of ideological rigidity often defend
rigidity as a consequence of a genuinely "ethical" approach to the
great issues of public policy. They often equate compromise with
ethical weakness. In Morality, Leadership and Public Policy, Weber
convincingly refutes any notion that ethical leadership need be
dogmatic by appealing to the most genuinely American of
philosophical traditions. Weber's book shows great sensitivity to
both the complexity of public policy formation and to the
subtleties of philosophical ethics. His book deserves to be read by
both policy makers and philosophers.' - David Shrader, Executive
Director, The American Philosophical Association
The book leaves...positive impressions, especially for those
working in the area of public policy... Throughout the book, Weber
provides those in the area of public policy and leadership with an
approach (experimentalism) that will allow them to reach different
conclusions... What is also fascinating is the way in which he
deals with areas that are seen as somewhat 'out of the box' when it
comes to public policy and morality as a study under philosophy...
The author has articulated his point clearly.
*Ethical Perspectives*
Morality, Leadership, and Public Policy is written in an engaging
manner. So filled is it with clear and powerfully compelling ideas
and suggestions that one cannot read the book without finding
oneself examining one's habitual ways of approaching difficulties
and seeking new possibilities for meaningful collaboration with
others in fashioning public policy. Although Weber writes
explicitly for philosophers, his work can also be read with benefit
by non philosophers who are concerned with the moral dimensions of
public policy and leadership. Morality, Leadership, and Public
Policy is, accordingly, a suitable and desirable acquisition for
both academic and public libraries.
*Journal of Speculative Philosophy (Vol. 26, No. 1)*
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