{"product_id":"the-order-of-evils-toward-an-ontology-of-morals-mit-press","title":"The Order of Evils: Toward an Ontology of Morals (Mit Press)","description":"What remains of moral judgment when truth itself is mistrusted, when the validity of every belief system depends on its context, when power and knowledge are inextricably entangled? Is a viable moral theory still possible in the wake of the postmodern criticism of modern philosophy? The Order of Evils responds directly to these questions and dilemmas with one simple and brilliant change of focus.\n\nRather than concentrating on the age-old themes of justice and freedom, Adi Ophir offers a moral theory that foregrounds the existential and political nature of Evil. Ophir’s main contention is that evil is neither a diabolical element residing in the hearts of men nor a meaningless absence of the good. Rather, it is the socially structured order of “superfluous evils.”\n\nEvils, like pain, suffering, loss, and humiliation, are superfluous when they could have ― but have not ― been prevented. Through close analysis of seminal works by modern and postmodern philosophers ― from Rousseau, Kant, Marx, Sartre, and Arendt to Foucault, Lévinas, Derrida, and Lyotard ― Ophir forges a new perspective for thinking about what it means to be a moral being; to be moral, he argues, is to care for others and to be committed to preventing, at all costs, their suffering and distress.\n\nA theoretically sophisticated work, The Order of Evils also bears the traces of Ophir’s own political and personal experiences as an Israeli philosopher and activist. Two major events in recent Jewish history have profoundly influenced his thinking: the Holocaust and the prolonged Israeli domination of Palestinians in the occupied territories, both of which are interpreted within the author’s moral framework as systematic productions of evils.\n\nOphir does not compare the two events. Instead, he introduces a typology of disasters that allows them to be located within the wide spectrum of human-generated calamities whose specificity and general patterns emerge clearly and distinctly as what they are and are not.\u003cbr\u003eASIN: 189095151X\u003cbr\u003eVSKU: GBV.189095151X.A\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Acceptable\u003cbr\u003eAuthor\/Artist:Mazali, Rela|Ophir, Adi|Carel, Havi\u003cbr\u003eBinding: Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eNote:\u003c\/b\u003e Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition Notes\u003c\/b\u003e: This book is in acceptable condition and may have highlighting and or writing throughout. The actual cover image may not match the stock photo, dust jacket may be damaged or missing. Book may show internal and or external wear on spine or cover and may be slightly skewed or have creased pages. This is a used book so codes may be invalid or accompanying media may be missing. May be an Ex library book with stickers and stamps.  \u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Good Books Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56847451423025,"sku":"GBV.189095151X.A","price":40.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0914\/3730\/2065\/files\/189095151X-0.jpg?v=1792089223","url":"https:\/\/goodbookscompany.org\/products\/the-order-of-evils-toward-an-ontology-of-morals-mit-press","provider":"Good Books Company","version":"1.0","type":"link"}