The Ethics of Deference: Learning from Law's Morals

Review
"The Ethics of Deference is an admirably clear book, presenting a thoroughly novel take on its subject-matter...worthy of close attention." Mark McBride, Modern Law Review


Book Description
Do citizens have an obligation to obey the law? This book differs from standard approaches by shifting from the language of obedience (orders) to that of deference (normative judgments). Though the focus is on political obligation, Philip Soper approaches that issue indirectly by developing a more general account of when deference is due to the views of others. The book defends a more general theory of ethics; one whose scope extends beyond the question of political obligation to questions of duty in the case of law, promises, fair play and friendship.


Download Description
Do citizens have an obligation to obey the law? This book differs from standard approaches by shifting from the language of obedience (orders) to that of deference (normative judgments). Though the focus is on political obligation, Philip Soper approaches that issue indirectly by developing a more general account of when deference is due to the views of others. The book defends a more general theory of ethics; one whose scope extends beyond the question of political obligation to questions of duty in the case of law, promises, fair play and friendship.


Buy from Amazon     Compare Prices

"Do citizens have an obligation to obey the law? Do legal systems claim citizens have such an obligation? This book challenges the currently popular view that law claims authority but does not have it by arguing that the popular view is wrong on both counts: Law has authority but does not claim it. Though the focus is on political obligation, the author approaches that issue indirectly by first developing a more general account of when deference is due to the views of others. Two standard practices that political theorists often consider in exploring the question of political obligation - fair play and promise-keeping - can themselves be seen, the author suggests, as examples of a duty of deference." In this respect, the book defends a more general theory of ethics whose scope extends to questions of duty in the case of law, promises, fair play, and friendship.


Buy from Barnes & Noble     Compare Prices