Promising

Contents

Contents Acknowledgments ix Chapter One: The Paradox of Promise: Some Introductory Remarks I The Paradox 1 The Literature 3 Questions of Method 11 Wanted: A Theory of Promise 16 Promise as Practice 29 Chapter Two: Approaches to Promise: The Contemporary Landscape 35 Promise as Institution 36 Promise as Raised Expectations 61 Promise as Evidence of a Previous Obligation 70 Promise as Intuitively Clear 78 Promise as Intention 85 Chapter Three: Laced Up in Formulas: Contemporary Approaches Considered 95 Paving the Road with Good Intentions 96 Intuitive Clarity and the Eye of the Beholder 103 Insufficient Evidence 108 Expect the Unexpected 113 When Promising Is lust a Game Il7 Chapter Four: Outlines of a Theory of Practice 144 Outline of the Theory 145 The Theory Delineated 149 vii Copyrighted Material CONTENTS Chapter Five: Promise as Practice 190 Characteristics of a Practice 190 Precursors to the Practice Approach 210 Earlier Criticisms Considered 215 Criticisms of the Practice Approach 228 Postscript 234 Notes 237 Bibliography 255 Index 267 viii Copyrighted Material ...