Joel Feinberg

Joel Feinberg (* October 19, 1926 in Detroit, Michigan, † March 29, 2004 in Tucson ) was an American philosopher.

Feinberg studied at the University of Michigan and wrote his thesis on the philosophy of Ralph Barton Perry's under Charles L. Stevenson. He held teaching positions at Brown University, Princeton University, University of California, Rockefeller University, and until his retirement in 1994 at the University of Arizona.

Feinberg's field of activity focused on the practical philosophy, including ethics, social philosophy and philosophy of law. He represented a moderate liberalism. Some of his ideas ( "Legal Paternalism ", In: Rights, Justice, and the Bounds of Liberty, see References ) have, still in the liberal framework remaining, partly beyond it and also include other legal bases as the so-called "harm principle" one.

He discussed this issue at length in his four -volume work, The Moral Limits of Criminal Law. It was published between 1984 and 1988 and treated each band in each case a problem area on the ground or foundation of state law actions. Thus, the first volume ( Harm to Others, The harm of others) is the basis for its liberal attitude and right borders of damage that can be inflicted on others, from other forms of influencing other people. The aforementioned harm principle forms the main reason for State Rechtsgebung is because the state is seen as the guarantor of the integrity of its citizens. In the three following volumes Feinberg explores the possibility of state intervention in non schadendem behavior. Consequently, the second band Offense to Others called ( insulting others, or more precisely, but morally attacking not damaged forming action against third parties ), and the fourth volume Harmless wrongdoing ( harmless moral hazard ). The third volume of Harm to Self ( self-inflicted damage) discussed how the state has a right to prevent or intervene actions when people inflict evil upon themselves - a prominent way suicide.

His liberal position is very well thought out and tries to do justice to the actual legislation and largely intuitive assessments by ethical problems. Therefore, he also defends no radical liberalism, but lets public insults, denunciation, calumny as a basis for government intervention. His position influenced a large part of the debate about liberalism, paternalism and fundamentals of Rechtsgebung in the second half of the 20th century in the USA. Through his extensive teaching some of his students carry his ideas into their own work continued in the field of practical philosophy.

Writings

  • Doing and Deserving: Essays in the Theory of Responsibility. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1970.
  • " The Rights of Animals and Future Generations". In: Philosophy and Environmental Crisis. Edited by William Blackstone. Athens, Georgia: University of Georgia Press, 1974 ISBN 0-8203-0343-7. .
  • Rights, Justice, and the Bounds of Liberty: Essays in Social Philosophy. Princeton: Princeton University Press 1980.
  • The Moral Limits of the Criminal Law. Vol 1, Harm to Others. New York: Oxford University Press 1984.
  • The Moral Limits of the Criminal Law. Vol 2, Offense to Others. New York: Oxford University Press 1985.
  • The Moral Limits of the Criminal Law. Vol 3, Harm to Self. New York: Oxford University Press 1986.
  • The Moral Limits of the Criminal Law. Vol 4, Harmless wrongdoing. New York: Oxford University Press 1988.
  • Freedom and Fulfillment: Philosophical Essays. Princeton: Princeton University Press 1992.
  • Legal philosopher
  • University teachers ( University of Arizona )
  • University teachers (Rockefeller University)
  • University teachers ( University of California, Los Angeles)
  • University teachers ( Princeton University)
  • Philosopher ( 20th century)
  • Americans
  • Born in 1926
  • Died in 2004
  • Man
Tucson, Arizona Charles Stevenson Integrated Authority File
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