In 2008 and 2009; the United States Congress apologized for the "fundamental injustice; cruelty; brutality; and inhumanity of slavery." Today no one denies the cruelty of slavery; but few issues inspired more controversy in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Abolitionists denounced the inhumanity of slavery; while proslavery activists proclaimed it both just and humane. Margaret Abruzzo delves deeply into the slavery debate to better understand the nature and development of humanitarianism and how the slavery issue helped shape modern concepts of human responsibility for the suffering of others.Abruzzo first traces the slow; indirect growth in the eighteenth century of moral objections to slavery's cruelty; which took root in awareness of the moral danger of inflicting unnecessary pain. Rather than accept pain as inescapable; as had earlier generations; people fought to ease; discredit; and abolish it. Within a century; this new humanitarian sensibility had made immoral the wanton infliction of pain.Abruzzo next examines how this modern understanding of humanity and pain played out in the slavery debate. Drawing on shared moral-philosophical concepts; particularly sympathy and benevolence; pro- and antislavery writers voiced starkly opposing views of humaneness. Both sides constructed their moral identities by demonstrating their own humanity and criticizing the other’s insensitivity. Understanding this contest over the meaning of humanity―and its ability to serve varied; even contradictory purposes―illuminates the role of pain in morality. Polemical Pain shows how the debate over slavery’s cruelty played a large; unrecognized role in shaping moral categories that remain pertinent today.
#659699 in Books Johns Hopkins University Press 2002-08-01Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 1.07 x 6.13l; 1.31 #File Name: 0801870380416 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Gregory M.great9 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Has No EqualsBy JL2315This book was required for one of my courses this semester that covers Religion Science. Being someone who has purchased and read numerous books regarding the relationship between religion and science (historically; philosophically; etc.); it is not an exaggeration to say that I was ecstatic about this book being required for the course. I had contemplated; and had come so close to purchasing it numerous times; however I never quite got around to actually doing it. Rest assured; I was happy to finally seal the deal and acquire such a gem. This book is a necessity for anyone interested in the historical relationship between the Western religious traditions (primarily Christianity) and science. Simply put; this work has no equals. Objectively written; this book is a compilation of academic essays composed by a number of leading historians of science and religion. In depth; insightful; and exceptionally accurate; there is simply no introduction to the historical relationship of the Western religious traditions and science. For all of those who are interested in the subject; there is no better place to begin learning about it. For those who are familiar with the subject; this book will still serve them very well; and forward their knowledge and understanding. A must read for all of those who are interested in this historical relationship! Other books that I also recommend checking out would be 'The Genesis of Science' by James Hannam; 'The Beginning of Western Science: The European Scientific Tradition in Philosophical; Religious; and Institutional Context; Prehistory to A.D. 1450' by David C. Lindberg; 'When World Converge: What Science and Religion Tell Us about the Story of the Universe and Our Place in it' edited by Clifford N. Matthews; Mary Evelyn Tucker; and Philip Hefner; 'When Science Meets Religion: Enemies; Strangers; or Partners?' by Ian G. Barbour; and 'Science and the Modern World' by Alfred North Whitehead.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. you will be sorely disappointed. I couldn't find anything talking about religion from ...By equestrian234Needed this for an independent study. Literally every book you can read on science religion will tell you one thing: religion can adopt science into it; but not vice versa. If you were trying to see if science could adopt at least some aspect(s) of religion.........you will be sorely disappointed. I couldn't find anything talking about religion from the perspective of science (which I expected; but it's still unfortunate that people only write from the standpoint of religion).
