The origin and development of the moral ideas
The Origin and Development of the Moral Ideas, published in two volumes in 1906 and 1908, is Edward Westermarck's attempt to explain morality by comparing the customs of peoples across the world. A Finnish philosopher and anthropologist who spent years among the Berbers of Morocco, Westermarck argues that moral judgments grow out of emotions of approval and disapproval that are rooted in retaliation and gratitude, and he tests the idea against an enormous body of evidence on homicide, blood revenge, slavery, the treatment of women, children and the old, suicide, property, truthfulness, sexual morality, the treatment of animals, duties to the gods and the history of religious ethics. Both volumes are combined here, a monument of comparative ethics and a storehouse of ethnographic fact. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
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Frequently asked questions about The origin and development of the moral ideas
The origin and development of the moral ideas by Edward Westermarck can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
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Is The origin and development of the moral ideas in the public domain?
Yes. The origin and development of the moral ideas by Edward Westermarck is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
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About 42 h 52 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The origin and development of the moral ideas?
The origin and development of the moral ideas by Edward Westermarck is filed under "Philosophy" in the Vinteuil library.
