Ethics, Evil, and Fiction

Ethics, Evil, and Fiction brings together moral philosophy and literary analysis in a way that offers original new insights for both. Its central aim is to enrich the domain of moral reflection, by showing the value of literary texts as sources of moral illumination. Colin McGinn starts by setting out an uncompromisingly realist ethical theory, arguing that morality is an area of objective truth and genuine knowledge. He goes on to address such subjects asthe nature of goodness, evil character, and the meaning of monstrosity, in the context of an aesthetic theory of virtue, which maintains that goodness of character is the same thing as beauty of soul. Works discussed include Billy Budd, Lolita, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and Frankenstein; and McGinn drawsupon examples from film and painting as well as literature. The originality of his approach, the clarity and forthrightness of his writing, and his conviction that fiction and philosophy have much enlightenment to offer each other, make this a compelling and fascinating book.

this engagingly written book., I really enjoyed his literary-ethical exploration of Frankenstein and Dorian Gray. These portions of the book contain much that should interest those seeking more effective ways of teaching moral philosophy., an interesting but eccentric book ... I have gone on at length about the aesthetic theory of virtue because, for me, it is one of the book's most arresting claims. If this is the kind of provocative thesis that you enjoy, then Ethics, Evil, and fiction, despite (or maybe because of) its quirks, is worth reading., A book which I hope will start a new fashion ... it has all the qualities modern philosophical writing tends to lack. I found it substantial, absorbing and relevant., Evocative and thought-provoking.

Colin McGinn is Professor of Philosophy at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. He was previously Wilde Reader in Mental Philosophy at the University of Oxford, and before that Reader in Philosophy at University College London. His books include The Character of Mind (1981; second edition 1997), The Subjective View (1982), Mental Content (1989), The Problem of Consciousness (1991), and Problems inPhilosophy (1993).