The contract of mutual indifference : political philosophy after the Holocaust

Norman Geras discusses a central aspect of the experience of the Holocaust with a view to exploring its most important contemporary implications. Geras's argument focuses on the figure of the bystander to consider the moral consequences of looking on without active responses at persecution and great suffering. -- . 'In his passionate and lucid argument about political theory after the Holocaust, Geras explains his baleful titular concept: if you are unwilling to help others in their need, you cannot expect others to do the same for you. Therefore any political philosophy which neglects the primacy of human duty to bring aid is short-sighted and shameful.' - The Guardian 'Some devote considerable time and money to combating moral catastrophes, but most of us hardly do more than lift a finger. Our behaviour is the subject of Norman Geras's thought-provoking new book. ... Geras identifies a major gap in contemporary political philosophy.' -- Times Literary Supplement 'In a brilliant exposition, Norman Geras argues convincingly that indifference to suffering is the norm in human society. This profoundly disturbing study is a bleak commentary both on "bystandaers" to the Holocaust and on our own moral emptiness.' -- Ian Kershaw, University of Sheffield Front matter Dedication Contents Foreword Preface The Contract of Mutual Indifference Socialist Hope in the Shadow of Catastrophe Progress Without Foundations? Marxists before the Holocaust Bibliography Index