Philip Kitcher: Moral Progress (ed. Heilinger) (original) (raw)

Philip Kitcher develops the pragmatist approach to moral philosophy he began in his book The Ethical Project. He uses three historical examples of moral progress—the abolition of chattel slavery, the expansion of opportunities for women, and the increasing acceptance of same-sex love—to propose methods for moral inquiry. In his recommended methodology, Kitcher sees moral progress, for individuals and for societies, through collective discussions that become more inclusive, better informed, and involve participants more inclined to engage with the perspectives of others and aim at actions tolerable by all. The volume is introduced by Jan-Christoph Heilinger and contains commentaries from distinguished scholars Amia Srinivasan, Susan Neiman, and Rahel Jaeggi, and Kitcher’s response to their commentaries.