Ethics and Phenomenology - by Mark Sanders & J Jeremy Wisnewski (Hardcover)

About the Book

Ethics and Phenomenology examines the relevance of major phenomenologists and phenomenological concepts to ethical inquiry in general, as well as to a broad range of contemporary ethical issues.

Book Synopsis

Ethics and Phenomenology examines the relevance of major phenomenologists and phenomenological concepts to ethical inquiry in general, as well as to a broad range of contemporary ethical issues.

Review Quotes

Ethics and Phenomenology contains original, productive work on ethics. Part I of this book contains critical evaluations of the contributions to ethics made by the founding phenomenological thinkers, and Part II contains studies of contemporary ethical issues inspired by phenomenological methods. This book brings new understanding of classical authors and new insight in contemporary ethical debates.


Ethics and Phenomenology is an uncommonly interesting and well-integrated collection of essays. Beginning with new insights into the ethical thought of an array of phenomenological figures, the volume ends with a set of original ideas inspired by them. The collection provides illuminating connections between both well-known and less well-known philosophers and it delves into an important range of contemporary issues including medical care, good parenting, intellectual property law, the environment, war, evil, and the status of women. Reminding us again of the richness of the phenomenological tradition, this collection also helps us to think better about our ethical aspirations.


This fresh and engaging collection fills a gap in our thinking about the relationship between ethics and phenomenology. The range of phenomenologists covered and explained in reader-accessible ways is enormous. Most importantly, the volume addresses ethical issues of major importance: for example, parenthood, the environment, and the digital revolution. This book is worth reading cover to cover and would make a superior text for a thorough course in phenomenology.

About the Author

Mark Sanders is a faculty associate with the Center for Professional and Applied Ethics. He became the undergraduate coordinator for the Philosophy Department in 2011.

J. Jeremy Wisnewski is associate professor of philosophy at Hartwick College and the coordinator of the Peace and Conflict Studies Program.