Title: A theory of regret /
Authors: Price, Brian, 1970-
Year: 2017
Subjects: Regret.; Regret
Abstract: "In A Theory of Regret Brian Price contends that regret is better understood as an important political emotion than as a form of weakness. Price shows how regret allows us to see that our convictions are more often the products of our perceptual habits than the authentic signs of moral courage that we more regularly take them to be. Regret teaches us to give up our expectations of what we think should or might occur in the future, and also the idea that what we think we should do will always be the right thing to do. Understood instead as a mode of thoughtfulness, regret helps us to clarify our will in relation to the decisions we make within institutional forms of existence. Considering regret in relation to emancipatory theories of thinking, Price shows how the unconditionally transformative nature of this emotion helps us become more sensitive to contingency and allows us, in turn, to recognize the steps we can take toward changing the institutions that shape our lives."--
Contents: What is regret? -- The habit of virtue -- Non-voluntary and involuntary relations -- Stupidity and akrasia -- When to speak? -- Impossible advice -- The postman always rings twice -- Possible advice -- The gift of advice -- Economy, economies -- Sameness and trust -- The problem of withdrawal -- The trouble with agonism -- Keeping up appearances -- Appearance and withdrawal -- Hypocrisy and regret.