Blame : its nature and norms /

Contemporary interest in blame can be traced to P. F. Strawson's landmark 1962 essay "Freedom and Resentment," yet few substantive treatments of the subject have been published in the intervening 50-plus years. T. M. Scanlon's Moral Dimensions (CH, Mar'09, 46-3775) and George Sher's In Praise of Blame (CH, Jul'06, 43-6457) stand out, but an ecumenical survey of blame has been a lacuna in the literature on moral responsibility. As such, this collection of 15 original essays, compiled by editors Coates (Chicago) and Tognazzini (William and Mary), is a much-needed contribution. Following the editors' astute introductory essay, chapters 2-11 present arguments surrounding the "propriety of blame." They discuss Sher's "backward-looking desire" approach; Scanlon's "impaired interpersonal relationship" approach; Strawson's affective account; and broadly functional accounts. Scanlon's essay stands out as a substantive elaboration of his position, as does Derk Pereboom's skeptical treatment. The final four chapters address the "ethics of blame," including the interplay between blame and other moral concerns, the nature of excusing, the relevance of hypocrisy, and judgmentalism. The majority of contributors are well established in the literature on blame, so this volume will be vital to researchers interested in contemporary moral responsibility. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Graduate students and researchers/faculty. L. A. Wilkinson University of Tennessee at Chattanooga