Description
Book Synopsis: Should laws about sex and pornography be based on social conventions about what is disgusting? Should felons be required to display bumper stickers or wear T-shirts that announce their crimes? This powerful and elegantly written book, by one of America's most influential philosophers, presents a critique of the role that shame and disgust play in our individual and social lives and, in particular, in the law.
Martha Nussbaum argues that we should be wary of these emotions because they are associated in troubling ways with a desire to hide from our humanity, embodying an unrealistic and sometimes pathological wish to be invulnerable. Nussbaum argues that the thought-content of disgust embodies "magical ideas of contamination, and impossible aspirations to purity that are just not in line with human life as we know it."
She argues that disgust should never be the basis for criminalizing an act, or play either the aggravating or the mitigating role in criminal law it currently does. She writes that we should be similarly suspicious of what she calls "primitive shame," a shame "at the very fact of human imperfection," and she is harshly critical of the role that such shame plays in certain punishments.
Drawing on an extraordinarily rich variety of philosophical, psychological, and historical references--from Aristotle and Freud to Nazi ideas about purity--and on legal examples as diverse as the trials of Oscar Wilde and the Martha Stewart insider trading case, this is a major work of legal and moral philosophy.
Details
Looking for a thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating read? Look no further than "Hiding from Humanity: Disgust, Shame, and the Law". This captivating book, authored by the renowned philosopher Martha Nussbaum, challenges conventional notions of law and explores the deeply ingrained emotions of disgust and shame that influence our societal norms. Nussbaum expertly dissects these emotions, arguing that they hinder our ability to embrace our shared humanity and promote unrealistic ideals of invulnerability.
Are you tired of laws that are based solely on what society considers disgusting? Nussbaum eloquently questions the foundation of such laws and delves into the dangerous consequences they can have. With meticulous research and thought-provoking analysis, she presents a compelling case against using disgust as a basis for criminalizing actions. No longer should we allow this emotion to unjustly aggravate or mitigate criminal charges.
Nussbaum turns her critical eye to another emotion that often plagues our society – shame. She argues against the primitive shame we feel towards our imperfections, exposing its detrimental role in certain punishments. Drawing from a vast array of philosophical, psychological, and historical references, including Aristotle, Freud, and even Nazi ideologies, Nussbaum paints a comprehensive picture of the complex interplay between emotions, law, and morality.
If you are fascinated by the intersection of philosophy, psychology, and law, "Hiding from Humanity: Disgust, Shame, and the Law" is a must-read. Engaging, thought-provoking, and meticulously researched, this book will challenge your preconceptions and leave you with a deeper understanding of the human condition. Don't miss out on this seminal work of legal and moral philosophy!
Ready to delve into the complexities of societal norms and emotions? Click here to get your copy of "Hiding from Humanity: Disgust, Shame, and the Law" today!
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