The Impact of the Law

On Character Formation, Ethical Education, and the Communication of Values in Late Modern Pluralistic Societies

edited by John Witte and Michael Welker

Book cover: The Impact of the Law

Extent: 280 pages

Publisher: Evangelische Verlagsanstalt

Subjects: Law, Religious Studies

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(February 2021)

ISBN: 9783374068012

Price: $39.00

In stock

This volume addresses whether, how, and where laws (variously defined) teach values and shape moral character in late modern liberal societies. Each author recognizes the essential value of state law in fostering peace, security, health, education, charity, trade, democracy, constitutionalism, justice, and human rights, among many other moral goods. Each author also recognizes, however, the grave betrayals of law in supporting fascism, slavery, apartheid, genocide, persecution, violence, racism, and other forms of immorality and injustice. They thus call for state laws that set a basic civil morality of duty for society and for robust freedoms that protect private individuals and private groups to cultivate a higher morality of aspiration. With contributions by Rudiger Bittner, Brian Bix, Frank Brennan, Allen Calhoun, Robert F. Cochran, Jr., Kenneth John Crispin, Jean Bethke Elshtain, E. Allan Farnsworth, James E. Fleming, M. Cathleen Kaveny, Ute Mager, Linda C. McClain, Reid Mortensen, Patrick Parkinson, Thomas Pfeiffer, Robert Vosloo, Michael Welker, and John Witte, Jr.

  • Edited by Michael Welker
  • Edited by John Witte