Conscience: a biography

Description

Many consider conscience to be one of the most important-if not the fundamental-quality that makes us human, distinguishing us from animals, on one hand, and machines on the other. But what is conscience, exactly? Is it a product of our biological roots, as Darwin thought, or is it a purely social invention? If the latter, how did it come into the world? In this biography of that most elusive human element, Martin van Creveld explores conscience throughout history, ranging across numerous subjects, from human rights to health to the environment. Along the way he considers th. I At the beginning. Early stirrings From Homer to Aristotle Enter the Stoics -- II The Christian centuries. From Paul to Augustine Conscience in the age of faith Luther and after -- III From Machiavelli to Nietzsche. The great divide The death of God Storming the heavens -- IV Life without God. From liberation to dressage Alterntives to conscience: Japan Alternatives to conscience: China -- V Conscience in the Third Reich. Those who commanded Those who killed Those who resisted -- VI Idols old and new. Learning to say no Conscience and health Conscience and the environment -- VIi The man-machine. From atomism to behaviorism The rise of the robots The electrical-chemical machine -- Conclusion: At journey's end.