Responsibility

In this book philosophers, scholars of religion, and activists address the theme of responsibility. Barbara Darling-Smith brings together an enlightening collection of essays that analyze the ethics of responsibility, its relational nature, and its global struggle. With references to Homer's the Iliad and Buddhist teachings, these essays demonstrate that while selfhood is an illusion, there is still a conventional self that must be held responsible. This book finds the underlying distinctions between ultimate and conventional understandings of selfhood, which lead to variations on the role of responsibility in the community and government. With essays from CEOs to historical theologians, Responsibility offers a variety of perspectives that will captivate the interest of philosophers and scholars of ethnics and religion.

Table of Contents:
Part 1 Responsibility and Selfhood Chapter 2 Responsible Fictions Chapter 3 Responsibility Without a Self Chapter 4 The Way is Made in the Walking: Responsibility as Relational Virtuosity Chapter 5 Where Art Thou? Biblical Perspectives on Responsibility Part 6 Responsible Roles Toward Other Human Beings Chapter 7 Moral Responsibility in a Democratic Society Chapter 8 Am I My Brother's Keeper? An Aristotelian Take on Responsibility for Others Chapter 9 Tasteless Historical Stories: An Historical Theologian's REsponsibility to Past and Present Chapter 10 Balancing Medicine's Moral Ledger: Realigning Trust and Responsibility Chapter 11 Responsibilities of Corporations: Managing Morally and Profitably Part 12 Responsibility Toward Nonhuman Beings and the Earth Chapter 13 Towards an Art of Dwelling Chapter 14 Ecological and Social Responsibility: The Making of the Earth Charter

About the Author :
Barbara Darling-Smith is assistant professor of religion at Wheaton College.

Review :
This book is an eloquent collection of essays by some of our leading philosophers and ethicists. They enable us to reenvision responsibility and responsiveness amidst our modern challenges of injustice and environmental degradation. There is a fresh perspective here that situates humans in interdependent relation to other humans and to the Earth community at large. Responsibility is a wonderful collection of excellent essays by a group of noted scholars, teachers, and lay activists who examine in-depth the very idea of human beings bearing responsibility for themselves, other persons and the natural environment. The essays in this carefully edited book are uniformly lucid and insightful. A major contribution-and one very much needed at the present time. This book was well worth reading. The strength of the book lies in its unconventional breadth....As it is accessible to a wide readership, the book would work in undergraduate ethics course. This broad range of perspectives offers a variety of interesting insights on the theme of responsibility....The collection remains a valuable addition to the literature on responsibility....It is recommended to all those looking for an introduction to the topic from a wide range of perspectives. At a time when so many rights are being loudly trumpeted while the attendant responsibilities to our fellow beings and the earth are quietly ignored, this collection of essays is most welcome. A distinguished group of authors examine various notions of responsibility from the perspectives not only of Western ethics but also of ancient Greek thought, Indian Buddhism, classical Chinese philosophy, the Bible and Christianity, and American pragmatism-all to an enlightening effect. The edited collection brings together a diverse range of readings concerning responsibility by leading scholars and lay people. This collection benefits from the wide array of perspectives on responsibility. Given the sheer largeness of the concept it is refreshing to see it approached so diversely. This broad range of perspectives offers a variety of interesting insights on the theme of responsibility. A valuable addition to the literature on responsibility. Its sheer diversity along with the uniform quality of its writing will benefit scholars and those outside academia alike.