By bringing the work of philosophers and psychologists together this volume is an interdisciplinary, though predominantly philosophical, exploration of an often discussed but rarely researched emotion; admiration. By exploring the moral psychology of admiration the volume examines the nature of this emotion, how it relates to other emotions such as wonder, envy and pride and what role admiration plays in our moral lives. As to the latter, a strong focus is on the potential link between admiration, emulation and the improvement of our characters, as well as of society as a whole.
Alfred Archer, is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Tilburg University Andre Grahle is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat, Munchen.
Section 1: The Nature of Admiration / 1. No More Heroes Any More? Sophie-Grace Chappell / 2. Ideals and Idols: On the Nature and Appropriateness of Agential Admiration, Antti Kauppinen / 3. Happy Self-Surrender and Unhappy Self-Assertion: A Comparison between Admiration and Emulative Envy, Sara Protasi / 4. Admiration and Self-Respect, Jan-Willem van der Rijt / Section 2: History / 5. Gazing Upwards to the Stage - Mendelssohn's Notion of Admiration and its Consequences, Anne Pollok / 6. Nietzsche on Admiration and Admirableness, Simon Robertson / Section 3: Social and Political Dimensions of Admiration / 7. Revolutionary Admiration, Vanessa Wills / 8. Judging in Times of Crisis: Wonder, Admiration, and Emulation, Marguerite La Caze / 9. Admiration as Normative Support, Andre Grahle / 10. Admiration for Animals (working title), Amanda Cawston / Section 4: Admiration and Moral Education / 11. Is It Morally Good To Admire? Psychological Perspectives on the Potentials and Limits of Admiration and Elevation, Ines Schindler / 12. Admiration and the Development of Moral Virtue, Alan T. Wilson / 13. Obstacles to the Admiration of Moral People, Florien M. Cramwinckel and Benoit Monin / 14. How Admiring Moral Exemplars Can Ruin Your Life: The Case of Conrad's "Lord Jim", Alan Thomas, Alfred Archer and Bart Engelen
This is an excellent collection of essays on the "moral psychology of admiration." Archer (Tilburg Univ., Netherlands) and Grahle (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat, Germany), both philosophers, organize the essays into four parts: "The Nature of Admiration," "History," "Social and Political Dimensions of Admiration," and "Admiration and Moral Education." The contributors are mostly philosophy and psychology professors at European and American universities, but their expertise extends to a variety of other disciplines. This book could serve as textbook in courses on moral psychology. . . this is a worthwhile resource for those interested in admiration as an aspect of moral philosophy or moral psychology. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty. * Choice * This is an excellent collection of essays on the "moral psychology of admiration." Archer (Tilburg Univ., Netherlands) and Grahle (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat, Germany), both philosophers, organize the essays into four parts: "The Nature of Admiration," "History," "Social and Political Dimensions of Admiration," and "Admiration and Moral Education." The contributors are mostly philosophy and psychology professors at European and American universities, but their expertise extends to a variety of other disciplines. This book could serve as textbook in courses on moral psychology. . . this is a worthwhile resource for those interested in admiration as an aspect of moral philosophy or moral psychology. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty. * Choice * Admiration is a central but much neglected ethical notion. This new book edited by Alfred Archer and Andre Grahle helps to make up for this neglect. A much needed and very welcome volume. -- Michael Slote, Professor of Philosophy, University of Miami There is much to admire in this richly nuanced, interdisciplinary investigation into the nature and significance of admiration. This volume is a delightful and informative read, full of engaging, real-life examples and thought-provoking claims on the difference between admiration and envy, on its (limited) role in moral upbringing, and on the thin line between useful admiration and harmful worshipping. -- Katrien Schaubroeck, Senior Lecturer, Department of Philosophy, University of Antwerp
