Thomas Hill, a leading figure in the recent development of Kantian moral philosophy, presents a set of essays exploring the implications of basic Kantian ideas for practical issues. The first part of the book provides background in central themes in Kant's ethics; the second part discusses questions regarding human welfare; the third focuses on moral worth-the nature and grounds of moral assessment of persons as deserving esteem or blame. Hill shows moral, political, and social philosophers just how valuable moral theory can be in addressing practical matters.

• Introduction


• 1: Kantian Analysis: From Duty to Autonomy


• 2: Is Good Will Over-Rated?


• 3: Hypothetical Consent in Kantian Constructivism


• 4: Beneficence and Self-Love


• 5: Reasonable Self-Interest


• 6: Happiness and Human Flourishing


• 7: Meeting Needs and Doing Favors


• 8: Personal Values and Setting Ends


• 9: Four Conceptions of Conscience


• 10: Wrongdoing, Desert, and Punishment


• 11: Punishment, Conscience, and Moral Worth


• 12: Moral Dilemmas, Gaps, and Residues


• Bibliography, Index

Thomas E. Hill, Jr., is Kenan Professor of Philosophy at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.