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Cover of Kindness and the Good Society

Kindness and the Good Society

by William S. Hamrick

Book Details

Publisher:State University of New York Press
Published:2012-02-01
Pages:345
Format:BOOK
Language:en

Reading Info

About This Book

Winner of the 2004 Edward Goodwin Ballard Book Prize in Phenomenology presented by the Center for Advanced Research in Phenomenology with interest from a fund raised from Professor Ballard's family, students, and friends Kindness and the Good Society utilizes phenomenology and a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional sources to provide the first comprehensive account of kindness in any genre of philosophy. Remarkably rich in descriptive detail and drawing upon a wide range of examples,

Our Review

This philosophical exploration offers a groundbreaking examination of kindness through the lens of phenomenology, providing the first comprehensive account of this fundamental human quality within philosophical literature. Drawing from both traditional and unexpected sources, the work builds a compelling case for kindness as essential to creating what the author terms "the good society." The analysis stands out for its remarkable descriptive richness and wide-ranging examples that ground abstract concepts in tangible human experience.

What makes this study particularly valuable is its ability to bridge philosophical rigor with practical relevance, demonstrating how kindness functions as more than mere sentiment but as a structural component of ethical societies. Readers interested in moral philosophy, social ethics, and phenomenological approaches to human connection will find substantial material for reflection. The recognition through the Edward Goodwin Ballard Book Prize acknowledges its significant contribution to philosophical discourse while making complex ideas accessible to thoughtful readers seeking deeper understanding of human goodness.

Themes

Philosophy

Subjects

Philosophy