The Structure of a Moral Code: Navajo Ethics

Mr. Ladd here presents a philosophical analysis of the nature and structure of a moral code. He exemplifies his general theory by providing the first systematic description of Navajo ethics based on raw material gathered by intensive anthropological field work among the Navajo. The complete transcript of his field notes is contained in the Appendix to this book. Mr. Ladd shows how the codes of other societies can be described with scientific rigor and objectivity. Drawing upon recent developments in analytical ethics that emphasize the uses of discourse and the logic of imperatives he develops a general theory of moral codes which holds considerable significance for moral philosophers and which presents for anthropologists a methodology for their investigations into the ethical systems of non-literate cultures.