The Ethics of Self-Defense

by Christian Coons (Editor), Michael Weber (Editor)

Overview

The fifteen new essays collected in this volume address questions concerning the ethics of self-defense, most centrally when and to what extent the use of defensive force, especially lethal force, can be justified. Scholarly interest in this topic reflects public concern stemming from controversial cases of the use of force by police, and military force exercised in the name of defending against transnational terrorism. The contributors pay special attention to determining when a threat is liable to defensive harm, though doubts about this emphasis are also raised. The legitimacy of so-called "stand your ground" policies and laws is also addressed. This volume will be of great interest to readers in moral, political, and legal philosophy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780190206093
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	06/01/2016
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	344
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Christian Coons is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Bowling Green State University. His research focuses on theory selection in normative ethics, the nature of value, and the structural relationship between normative concepts.

Michael Weber is Associate Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Philosophy at Bowling Green State University. His research in moral and political philosophy centers on contemporary egalitarianism, rational choice theory, and the place of the emotions in ethics.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction Christian Coons and Michael Weber
2. Recipe for a Theory of Self-Defense: The Ingredients, and Some Cooking Suggestions Larry Alexander
3. The Moral Responsibility Account of Liability to Defensive Harm Michael Otsuka
4. Defensive Liability Without Culpability Saba Bazargan
5. Defense of Self and Others Against Culpable Rights Violators Peter Vallentyne
6. Causation, Culpability, and Liability Victor Tadors
7. Self-Defense and Risks Vera Bergelson
8. The Role of Necessity in Liability to Defensive Harm Helen Frowe
9. Proportionality in Defense Kai Draper
10. The Limits of Self-Defense Jeff McMahan
11. Against Liability: A Reasons-Based Account of Self-Defense Michelle Madden Dempsey
12. Forfeiture and Self-Defense Kimberly Ferzan
13. Stand Your Ground Heidi Hurd
14. Fight or Flight: Moral Intuitions, Institutions, and the Right to Stand One's Ground Ian Fishback
15. Liability and the Ethics of War: A Response to Strawser and McMahan Seth Lazar

Bibliography
Index