The Cage: Must, Should, and Ought from is 1st edition

Philosophical examination of the relationship of normativity and freedom.

Hume argued that is does not entail ought; that we cannot infer necessity or obligation from any description of actual states of affairs. His philosophical heirs continue to argue that nothing outside ourselves constrains us. The Cage maintains, contrary to Humean tradition, that reality is a set of nested contexts, each distinguished by intrinsic norms. Author David Weissman offers an innovative exploration of these norms intrinsic to human life, including practical affairs, morals, aesthetics, and culture. In this critical examination of character formation and the conditions for freedom, Weissman suggests that eliminating context (because of regarding it as an impediment to freedom) impoverishes character and reduces freedom. He concludes that positive freedom?the freedom to choose and to act?has no leverage apart from the contexts where character forms and circumstances provide opportunities to express one?s thoughts, tastes, or talents.

?The great strength of The Cage is that Weissman develops a metaphysical theory of communitarianism that is itself communitarian. Rigorously coherent without falling into the trap of holism, and respecting the freedom and integrity of particular entities and persons without falling into the trap of atomism, Weissman shows us how the values that both constrain and liberate us are objective features of the natural world.? ? George Allan, author of The Patterns of the Present: Interpreting the Authority of Form

?I do not know of any philosopher who writes so engagingly and insightfully about such controversial and complex topics as David Weissman. What is truly remarkable is that he never purchases clarity at the price of simplification: he takes up inherently difficult matters in a consistently clear and engaging manner.? ? Vincent M. Colapietro, author of Fateful Shapes of Human Freedom: John William Miller and the Crises of Modernity