The Social Enforcement of Morality

43 Pages Posted: 10 Jan 2000

See all articles by William A. Edmundson

William A. Edmundson

Georgia State University College of Law

Date Written: July 17, 2003

Abstract

Morality is often depicted as a structure consisting of two concentric spheres: an outer sphere and an inner. The outer sphere is composed of moral requirements whose violation exposes the actor to some permissible social sanction. The inner sphere, in contrast, is composed of moral requirements whose violation is no one else's business, and which are exposed to no permissible sanction at all, other than those brought to bear by the actor's conscience or with the actor's consent. This work-in-progress examines and repudiates this seductive picture.

JEL Classification: K42, Z13

Suggested Citation

Edmundson, William A., The Social Enforcement of Morality (July 17, 2003). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=193172 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.193172

William A. Edmundson (Contact Author)

Georgia State University College of Law ( email )

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Atlanta, GA 30302-4037
United States
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HOME PAGE: http://law.gsu.edu/wedmundson/

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