The History and Ethics of Authenticity: Meaning, Freedom, and Modernity

Hardback

Main Details

Title The History and Ethics of Authenticity: Meaning, Freedom, and Modernity
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Kyle Michael James Shuttleworth
Physical Properties
Format:Hardback
Pages:224
Dimensions(mm): Height 234,Width 156
Category/GenrePhenomenology and Existentialism
Ethics and moral philosophy
Social and political philosophy
ISBN/Barcode 9781350163423
ClassificationsDewey:170
Audience
Tertiary Education (US: College)

Publishing Details

Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint Bloomsbury Academic
Publication Date 12 November 2020
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

Addressing the post-enlightenment problems of meaning and freedom, Kyle Michael James Shuttleworth traces the historical development of the ethics of authenticity in a lucid and vigorous study. The emergence of authenticity as an ethical ideal is probed in relation to the rise of social freedom and individualism which opens up conversations and disagreements with the German Idealists, and later, Habermas, Foucault, and MacIntyre. Taking heed of these intellectual predecessors and proponents of ethical authenticity leads to an original conception of a socio-existential account of ethical authenticity, made possible by the work of both Taylor and Sartre. Moving beyond virtue ethics, discourse ethics and Foucauldian notions of self-care, The History and Ethics of Authenticity constructs a practical ethics of authenticity that is both embedded in and able to transcend the current moment. Making use of contemporary reference points, including the rise of social media, capitalist branding, and competing appeals to identity, authenticity becomes an achievable ethical ideal.

Author Biography

Kyle Shuttleworth is Visiting Research Fellow at Queen's University Belfast, UK.

Reviews

Shuttleworth offers an innovative and important argument for the value of personal authenticity in modern life, developed through careful critical analyses of major twentieth-century works of philosophy and social theory. * Jonathan Webber, Professor of Philosophy, Cardiff University, UK * A unique, fresh, and engaging read on the struggle for authenticity under late capitalism. * T. Storm Heter, Associate Professor of Philosophy, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, USA *