Innocence and Experience
Innocence and Experience by Stuart Hampshire, published by Penguin in 1992, presents a thought-provoking exploration of moral philosophy and the complexities of the good life. This edition, comprising 195 pages, delves into the contrasting virtues of innocence and experience, emphasizing that no single conception of the good life can satisfy everyone. Hampshire draws on a wide range of philosophical thinkers, from Aristotle to Nietzsche, while also reflecting on his personal experiences during significant historical events.
Readers will find a rich discussion that examines the interplay between competing moral claims and the nature of justice in the real world. The book addresses various themes, including the roles of sex, art, memory, and imagination in shaping human experience. Through this analytical lens, Hampshire invites contemplation on the enduring questions of good and evil, making it a significant contribution to the fields of Christian theology and anthropology.
Official synopsis Publisher
There is no single conception of the good life, claims Stuart Hampshire, that is acceptable to everybody. The ‘innocent’ virtues of gratitude, gentleness and generosity, as Machiavelli pointed out, may be admirable in private life, but they are disastrous in a politician. While moral philosophers search in vain for an imaginary consensus, justice in the real world is always a compromise between competing claims.
This dazzling book draws on Hampshire’s intensive study of thinkers from Aristotle, Hume and Kant to Nietzsche, Rawls and Rousseau, as well as his firsthand experience of the Great Depression, appeasement and Nazi domination. It explores the significance of sex, art, memory and imagination. Above all, it offers a rich and moving discussion of the perennial issues of good and evil.
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