Charles Larmore Knihy

What is political philosophy, and how does it differ from moral philosophy? In this work, Charles Larmore redefines the aims of political philosophy, emphasizing the regulation of conflict in a society marked by competing interests and moral ideals. He posits that we cannot expect reason to yield consensus, as individuals possess diverse moral convictions. Larmore explores the concept of reasonable disagreement and examines how to resolve conflicts among those who differ on the nature of the human good and the foundations of political society. His critique challenges classical liberalism, represented by thinkers like Locke, Kant, and Mill, as well as contemporary political realism from figures such as Bernard Williams. Larmore advocates for a form of political liberalism focused on political legitimacy instead of social justice, tailored to contemporary circumstances rather than claiming universal applicability. This concise yet forceful examination offers a fresh perspective on political philosophy, highlighting its significant implications. The work stands as a compelling intervention from a prominent political philosopher, inviting readers to reconsider the essence and objectives of political thought in today's complex landscape.

The essays delve into the intricate relationship between moral philosophy and modernity, focusing on how contemporary experiences shape moral reasoning. They critically assess whether prevailing modern philosophical perspectives overlook significant aspects of moral existence, prompting a reevaluation of ethical frameworks in light of modern challenges.

What is the nature of the fundamental relation we have to ourselves that makes each of us a self? To answer this question, Charles Larmore develops a systematic theory of the self, challenging the widespread view that the self’s defining relation to itself is to have an immediate knowledge of its own thoughts. On the contrary, Larmore maintains, our essential relation to ourselves is practical, as is clear when we consider the nature of belief and desire. For to believe or desire something consists in committing ourselves to thinking and acting in accord with the presumed truth of our belief or the presumed value of what we desire. Larmore develops this conception with frequent reference to such classic authors as Montaigne, Stendhal, and Proust and by comparing it to other views of the self in contemporary philosophy. He also discusses the important ethical consequences of his theory of the self, arguing that it allows us to better grasp what it means to be ourselves and why self-understanding often involves self-creation. Winner of the Académie Française’s Grand Prix de Philosophie, The Practices of the Self is that rare kind of lucid yet rigorous work that transcends disciplinary boundaries.

Anlässlich des 20. Todestages von Hans-Georg Gadamer wurde am 13. März 2022 in der Alten Aula der Heidelberger Universität der erste Gadamer-Preis verliehen. Er ging an den amerikanischen Philosophen Charles Larmore. Die Gadamer-Gesellschaft würdigt damit einen Denker von Weltrang, in dessen weitgespanntem Werk argumentative Präzision, historische Sensibilität und zeitdiagnostische Kraft eine Verbindung eingehen, die im besten Sinne hermeneutisch genannt werden darf und durch ebenso eigenständige wie philosophisch belangvolle Bezugnahmen auf die Hermeneutik Gadamers ausgezeichnet ist. Der erste Band der ‚Reden zum Gadamer-Preis‘ versammelt die als Dialog mit Gadamer angelegte Dankesrede Charles Larmores, die den Preisträger und sein Werk würdigende Laudatio des Frankfurter Philosophen Rainer Forst, die Begrüßungsansprache des Präsidenten der Gadamer-Gesellschaft Carsten Dutt sowie das Grußwort des Prorektors für Innovation und Transfer der Universität Heidelberg Matthias Weidemüller.