Customer Reviews

Without Guilt and Justice: From Decidophobia to Autonomy

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Kaufmann's WITHOUT GUILT AND JUSTICE is a neglected classic of twentieth-century moral realism. His analyses are succinct, searing, insightful, and superb. Anyone who takes seriously the philosophical tradition of critical thinking should read this challenging masterpiece.

Kaufmann's personal books are not just about philosophy. Rather, they might be better described as self-help book, with advice coming from an accomplished philosophy professor well-versed in literature and religion. While his The Faith of a Heretic had a religious context, Without Guilt and Justice has an ethical one. He begins by describing what he calls decidophobia: the unwillingness of individuals to take responsibility for their lives. Kaufmann also describes the strategies people use to avoid this responsibility. But Kaufmann does not offer any simple-minded alternative: It is the whole thrust of his analysis to show how difficult it is to make fateful decisions in a responsible manner. But the problem with decidophobia is that it leads to an inauthentic life: the decidophobe is far from living in a land of ignorant bliss. In his more philosophical chapters, Kaufmann discredits the notions of retributive and distributive justice. Kaufmann summarizes, The concern with desert looks to the past, but it is more fruitful to consider the future. The rejection of justice allows the individual to disown guilt, an unproductive feeling that mires the individual in the past. Kaufmann then explores what his analysis means for the individual. For someone expecting a purely abstract philosophical discussion of ethics, this is where Kaufmann takes an unexpected turn. Ultimately, for Kaufmann, ethics is not just about living harmoniously with society by applying the golden rule (an overrated precept in Kauffman's opinion)-but rather it should be about what an individual should do with her life in an active way (what some might call self-actualization). For the autonomous individual, the choice is essentially two-fold: the detachment of Nirvana or a creative life. Kaufmann's sympathies lie with creativity (combined with service to humanity), and Kaufmann's most vital points concern the importance of creativity. This is an excellent book, although his The Faith of a Heretic is even better.

This remarkable book covers a lot of ground. From a new term coined Decidaphobia (and its' various behavioural strategies), to a broad rejection of justice as the backbone of our moral foundation, leading to the dismissing, of all things, GUILT! Why, you ask, should we eliminate guilt? From Kaufmann himself: "Guilt feelings are a contagious desease that harms those who harbor them and endangers those who live close to them. The liberation from guilt spells the dawn the autonomy." And it is at this point in the book that Kaufmann really takes off about alternatives to decidaphobia, justice, and guilt. I'd rather not give away his complete book in a review however!

Frankly, this stuff should be a first year phylosophy requirement. Really has a good chance to connect with younger readers in the beginning of the book with his discussions of decidophobia (ie, are you wasting your moral life).

Please email me if you've read this review and can give me some feedback!

This book is soooo clear. I felt upon reading it that I had found the words I have so long sought. This is a remarkable application of the consequenses of Nietzche's philosophy. Kaufmann has obviously done a fair share of his oun thinking over the years. In fact, it reminds me of Nietzche: "We should spend less time in relentless activity and more time in relentless thinking." Kaufmann is simply relentless!

This is not a book for the lightweight or fainthearted. It is steeped in philosophy and historical precedent. One is left, if not in full ageement with the author, at least swayed considerably. Books such as these are refreshing and delightful.

I hope it is reprinted again and again.

The copy I received was in excellent condition.


Father Thomas Doyle

Kaufmann, Nietzsche's foremost expositor, and best English translator, brings his own considerable philosophical skills to play in this volume.

It is true that some of his specific references, such as the "alienation" of mid-20th century psychology, or his riffs on Solzhenitysn, may be dated.

But his core arguments certainly are not.

Kaufmann spends a fair amount of time turning a withering moral eye to retributive justice, and another withering logical and existential eye to the idea of proportional justice, and various related ideas.

Hence his title "Without Guilt and Justice." Kaufmann argues convincingly that neither idea can be logically generated within an overarching system of morals. One can almost see John Rawls being ground to grist between the millstones of Kaufmann's cogitating.

But, this is small confort to humanists who would argue that an enlightened system of morality exists without religion. Instead, Kaufmann is saying that ALL systems of morals, no matter their metaphysical base or antimetaphysical base, are existential in nature. As for particular moral terms like "guilt" and "justice," without specifically referencing Wittgenstein, Kaufmann's argument appears to be that they are part of the language games we play.