Research Catalog

Title

The samaritan's dilemma : should government help your neighbor? / Deborah Stone.

Author

Stone, Deborah A.

Publication

New York, NY : Nation Books, ©2008.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

vii, 327 pages; 22 cm

Summary

"In this blend of political essay and reportage, political scientist Deborah Stone argues that democracy depends on altruism, not self-interest. The merchants of self-interest have divorced us from what we know in our pores: we care about other people and go out of our way to help them. Altruism is such a robust motive that we commonly lie, cheat, steal, and break laws to do right by others. The Samaritan s Dilemma calls on us to restore the public sphere as a place where citizens can fulfill their moral aspirations. If government helps the neighbors, citizens will once again want to help govern."--Jacket

Subject

• Altruism
• Compassion
• Self-interest
• Social ethics
• Political ethics
• Public welfare > Moral and ethical aspects > United States
• Altruism
• Empathy
• Ethics
• Public Assistance > ethics
• Social Welfare > ethics
• empathy
• Compassion
• Political ethics
• Public welfare > Moral and ethical aspects
• Self-interest
• Social ethics
• Public welfare > Moral and ethical aspects > United States
• United States

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (p. 295-316) and index.

Contents

The American malaise -- Seven bad arguments against help -- Everyday altruism -- The samaritan rebellion -- Engines of democracy -- Bonds and bridges -- The moment of power -- How government should help your neighbor.

ISBN

• 9781568583549
• 1568583540

LCCN

2008007045

OCLC

• ocn212375784
• 212375784
• SCSB-8852733

Owning Institutions

Princeton University Library