International Society: Diverse Ethical Perspectives

Front Cover
David R. Mapel, Terry Nardin
Princeton University Press, Dec 19, 1999 - Law - 263 pages

In a time of eroding sovereignty and resurgent nationalism, this collection provides a searching investigation of the moral foundations of the international order. Drawing on diverse philosophical and theological perspectives, the contributors debate the character of international society, the authority of international law and institutions, and the demands of international justice. In a series of philosophical essays, each followed by a critical commentary, the book considers the contributions of legal positivism, natural law, Kantian ethics, contractarian theory, and moral cosmopolitanism to the discussion of law and justice in international society. It also includes commentaries by experts in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic moral theology, and a concluding chapter that compares and contrasts the views presented without seeking to adjudicate their differences.


Because of its comprehensive approach and the diversity of its viewpoints, the volume serves as an introduction to the topic and as a resource for scholars, journalists, policy makers, and anyone else who wants to understand better the range of moral perspectives that underlies discussion of the current international order. In addition to the editors, the contributors are Brian Barry, Chris Brown, John Charvet, Richard Friedman, Robert P. George, Sohail Hashmi, Pierre Laberge, David Miller, David Novak, Max L. Stackhouse, Fernando R. Tesón, and Frederick G. Whelan.

 

Contents

Legal Positivism as a Theory of International Society
13
Legal Positivism and International Society
32
Natural Law and International Order
50
Some Thoughts on Natural Law and International Order
66
Kant on Justice and the Law of Nations
78
Kantian International Liberalism
99
International Society from a Contractarian Perspective
110
Contractarian Thought and the Constitution of International Society
128
The Limits of Cosmopolitan Justice
160
Theological Commentaries
179
Jewish Theology and International Society
181
Christianity and the Prospects for a New Global Order
197
Islamic Ethics in International Society
211
Comparative Overview
233
Justice Diversity and Law in International Society
235
INDEX
255

International Society from a Cosmopolitan Perspective
140

Other editions - View all

Common terms and phrases