Resisting Ethics - Practical Ethics and Political Resistance

In this review of Resisting Ethics the reviewer finds a thoughtful, theory-driven contribution aimed at readers who want to connect ethical reflection to political action. S. Schaffer presents a sustained argument that resistance and ethics are intertwined, using existentialist resources and historical case studies to show how moral thinking can be grounded in practice. The book is best for students, activists, and scholars who appreciate dense philosophical engagement and comparative history; its single biggest reason to buy is the way it reclaims existentialist ideas to illuminate contemporary questions of social justice and collective resistance.

Key Features

• Theoretical integration: Schaffer builds a bridge between resistance and ethical theory by drawing on Sartre, Merleau-Ponty and Bourdieu to offer a coherent, socially oriented ethics.
• Case studies: The book develops its claims with concrete examples from the Algerian Revolution and the Zapatista rebellion, helping readers see how ideas play out in historical practice.
• Existentialist perspective: By returning to existentialist concepts the author provides fresh insight into agency, responsibility and situated action under conditions of struggle.
• Comparative approach: Schaffer examines different forms of resistance across time and place, which helps readers compare tactics, motives and ethical outcomes.
• Interdisciplinary reach: The work engages philosophy, political theory and social history so it can inform debates across fields rather than remaining narrowly academic.

Who It's For

Resisting Ethics is primarily for graduate students, political theorists, and activists interested in serious philosophical reflection on social movements. Readers who value a theoretical account that grounds ethics in lived resistance will find the argument rewarding, especially those familiar with existentialist thinkers and social theory.

Those seeking a practical handbook of tactics or an accessible pop introduction to activism should look elsewhere, since Schaffer focuses on conceptual development and historical interpretation rather than step-by-step organizing advice.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Engages classic existentialist thinkers to refresh contemporary ethical debates in a rigorous way.
• Uses concrete historical cases so the ethical claims are tied to real-world resistance movements.
• Brings together sociology and philosophy for a broader, interdisciplinary perspective.

Cons

• The dense theoretical style may be challenging for readers without prior exposure to Sartre, Merleau-Ponty or Bourdieu.

Specifications

Title	Resisting Ethics
Author	S. Schaffer
Subject	Ethics, social justice and political resistance
Philosophical influences	Sartre, Merleau-Ponty, Bourdieu
Case studies	Algerian Revolution; Zapatista rebellion
Approach	Existentialist and socially oriented ethics

Our Verdict

Resisting Ethics is a solid, idea-driven intervention for readers who want ethical theory linked to historical struggle; its interdisciplinary reach makes it valuable for scholars and committed activists who seek a deeper account of why and how resistance matters ethically, offering substantial intellectual value despite a demanding style.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the book include historical examples?
Yes; Schaffer uses the Algerian Revolution and the Zapatista rebellion as primary case studies to ground the ethical discussion.

Is prior philosophical knowledge required?
Familiarity with existentialist thinkers like Sartre and Merleau-Ponty helps, as the book engages their ideas in depth.

Is this a practical guide to activism?
No; the focus is conceptual and interpretive rather than a manual of tactics or organizing methods.