Towards a robust theory of evil character

Abstract

This thesis demonstrates that current theories of evil character, specifically those asserted by John Kekes, Colin McGinn, Daniel Haybron, Peter Brian Barry, and Luke Russell, are not robust accounts of evil character. A robust account of evil character provides intuitively acceptable necessary and sufficient conditions for evil character, creates a clear distinction between bad and evil characters, and includes a conception of degrees of evil. After examining problems with extant accounts of evil character, I argue that the locus of evil character lies not in our feelings, desires, actions, or dispositions, but in the conclusions we draw about what is morally acceptable.