{"product_id":"the-metaphysics-of-good-and-evil-scholastic-defence","title":"The Metaphysics of Good and Evil - Scholastic Defence","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of The Metaphysics of Good and Evil, David S. Oderberg offers a rigorous, analytic defence of the Scholastic theory of good and evil that will appeal to readers who want a contemporary, systematic account linking Aristotle, Augustine and Aquinas to modern metaphysics. The book's single biggest reason to buy is its thorough contemporary articulation of the \u003cstrong\u003eprivation theory of evil\u003c\/strong\u003e and a detailed account of how goodness can be understood as obedience to nature, making it a rare work that bridges classical Thomism and analytic philosophy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScholastic framework:\u003c\/strong\u003e Presents a full-length modern defence of the Scholastic theory, showing how classical ideas remain philosophically relevant.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGoodness analysed:\u003c\/strong\u003e Analyses goodness as obedience to nature, clarifying how goodness applies to both non-living and living entities.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrivation theory defended:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gives a comprehensive contemporary defence of evil as the privation of goodness, addressing conceptual challenges.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTruthmakers for privation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Develops an account of truthmakers for truths of privation so those claims can be grounded metaphysically.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCausation by privation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Offers an analysis of how causation by privation should be understood within a Scholastic metaphysical framework.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Metaphysics of Good and Evil is best for philosophy readers interested in metaphysics, moral theory, or the history of ideas who want a sustained, scholarly defence of Scholastic positions using analytic tools. Graduate students, professional philosophers, and intellectually curious readers who appreciate close argumentation will find the work rewarding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a light introduction to ethics, a survey of multiple contemporary moral theories, or a popular-audience book on applied ethics should look elsewhere; this is a dense, argument-driven book rather than a primer or casual read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvides a clear, systematic \u003cstrong\u003edefence of Scholastic thought\u003c\/strong\u003e in contemporary philosophical language, useful for specialists.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarefully analyses different kinds of goodness, helping to clarify how moral concepts apply across natural kinds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOffers an original and thorough treatment of \u003cstrong\u003eprivation as evil\u003c\/strong\u003e, including truthmakers and causation by privation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDense, technical exposition may be challenging for readers without prior background in metaphysics or Scholasticism.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Metaphysics of Good and Evil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDavid S. Oderberg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePhilosophical focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScholastic theory of good and evil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKey analyses\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGoodness as obedience to nature; evil as privation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eArguments included\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTruthmakers for privation; causation by privation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended audience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScholars, graduate students, serious readers of metaphysics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Metaphysics of Good and Evil is a substantial, worthwhile contribution for readers committed to understanding how Scholastic insights can be revived within analytic metaphysics. It is good value for specialists and students who need a rigorous treatment of goodness and the privation account of evil, though its technical density makes it less suitable for casual readers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book defend traditional Scholastic thinkers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. It explicitly defends the Scholastic theory of Aristotle, Augustine and Aquinas from an analytic philosophical perspective.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the book suitable for beginners in philosophy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot ideally; the exposition is dense and argument-driven, so some background in metaphysics or ethics helps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it address how evil can be caused?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The book includes a developed analysis of causation by privation and offers truthmaker accounts for privation claims.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"David S. Oderberg","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48758785081563,"sku":"0367408643","price":190.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/A1ZNQ1ewlXL._SL1500.jpg?v=1778360261","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/the-metaphysics-of-good-and-evil-scholastic-defence","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}