ABSTRACT

The tendency to reciprocate – to return good for good and evil for evil – is a potent force in human life, and the concept of reciprocity is closely connected to fundamental notions of ‘justice’, ‘obligation’ or ‘duty’, ‘gratitude’ and ‘equality’.

In Reciprocity, first published in 1986, Lawrence Becker presents a sustained argument about reciprocity, beginning with the strategy for developing a moral theory of the virtues. He considers the concept of reciprocity in detail, contending that it is a basic virtue that provides the basis for parental authority, obligations to future generations, and obedience to law. Throughout the first two parts of the book, Becker intersperses short pieces of his own narrative fiction to enrich reflection on the philosophical arguments. The final part is devoted to extensive bibliographical essays, ranging over anthropology, psychology, political theory and law, as well as the relevant ethics and political philosophy.

part 1|172 pages

Theory

chapter |4 pages

Introduction to Part 1

chapter 1|30 pages

The General Conception of Morality

chapter 2|36 pages

Moral Theory

chapter 3|72 pages

Reciprocity

chapter 4|18 pages

Virtues and Priorities

chapter 5|10 pages

Virtue, Social Structure, and Obligation

part 2|138 pages

Practice

chapter |2 pages

Introduction to Part 2

chapter 6|50 pages

Families

chapter |2 pages

Friends

chapter 7|23 pages

Future Generations

chapter 8|59 pages

Law

part 3|113 pages

Scholium

chapter |1 pages

Introduction to Part 3

chapter |3 pages

Notes on Form

chapter 1|10 pages

Notes to Chapter I

General Conception of Morality

chapter 2|19 pages

Notes to Chapter 2

Moral Theory

chapter 3|24 pages

Notes to Chapter 3

Reciprocity

chapter 4|4 pages

Notes to Chapter 4

Related Virtues

chapter 5|9 pages

Notes to Chapter 5

Virtue, Social Structure, and Obligations

chapter 6|18 pages

Notes to Chapter 6

Families

chapter 6|2 pages

Notes to ‘Friends’

Future Generations

chapter 7|7 pages

Notes to Chapter 7

Future Generations

chapter 8|14 pages

Notes to Chapter 8

Law