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Product Description
Product Description
Firmly established as the standard text for undergraduate courses in ethics, this concise, lively book takes the reader on an in-depth tour of the major moral theories, always illustrating abstract ideas with concrete examples. Separate, self-contained chapters examine such theories as Egoism, Kantianism, Utilitarianism, Virtue Ethics, and the Social Contract Theory. Through this conceptual framework, the text addresses timely and provocative issues, including abortion, racism, euthanasia, poverty, marijuana, homosexuality, the death penalty, and vegetarianism. The text's versatility makes it an ideal choice for use not only in ethical theory courses, but also in applied ethics courses of all kinds.
From the Publisher
A new chapter 12 on feminist philosophy
New sections include: Baby Theresa and Tracy Latimer (chapter 1), Judging a Cultural Practice to Be Immoral (see Chapter 2), Are There Proofs in Ethics? (see Chapter 3), and whether utilitarianism is too demanding (Chapter 8).
A rewritten section on Natural Law to include a fuller description of Aristotle's world-view with a discussion of Aristotle's world view versus modern science (chapter 4)
A smoother introduction to chapter 11 with The Prisoner's Dilemma described more clearly.
Concise and inexpensive
A lucid, lively introduction of the major philosophical theories of morality and one acknowledged for its clarity in explaining ethical theory to students
Explains why each theory has been accepted by some thinkers but rejected by others
Important current issues such as abortion, euthanasia, the treatment of non-human animals, and famine relief are discussed in depth to illustrate the theories, and to reveal their implications.
Also widely used in Biomedical Ethics and Business Ethics courses as a brief, affordable text for the ethical theory portion of those courses. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
New sections include: Baby Theresa and Tracy Latimer (chapter 1), Judging a Cultural Practice to Be Immoral (see Chapter 2), Are There Proofs in Ethics? (see Chapter 3), and whether utilitarianism is too demanding (Chapter 8).
A rewritten section on Natural Law to include a fuller description of Aristotle's world-view with a discussion of Aristotle's world view versus modern science (chapter 4)
A smoother introduction to chapter 11 with The Prisoner's Dilemma described more clearly.
Concise and inexpensive
A lucid, lively introduction of the major philosophical theories of morality and one acknowledged for its clarity in explaining ethical theory to students
Explains why each theory has been accepted by some thinkers but rejected by others
Important current issues such as abortion, euthanasia, the treatment of non-human animals, and famine relief are discussed in depth to illustrate the theories, and to reveal their implications.
Also widely used in Biomedical Ethics and Business Ethics courses as a brief, affordable text for the ethical theory portion of those courses. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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First Sentence
Moral philosophy is the attempt to achieve a systematic understanding of the nature of morality and what it requires of us-in Socrates's words, of "how we ought to live," and why. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Moral philosophy is the attempt to achieve a systematic understanding of the nature of morality and what it requires of us-in Socrates's words, of "how we ought to live," and why. Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read Rachels' text for a college course. Though I was somewhat familiar with the concepts therein, I found it to be a great source for the basics of modern western philosophy. Chapters cover egoism, utilitarianism, Kant's Categorical Imperative, religious morality and other well known philosophies.
An excellent first philosophy book. I find it hard to discuss certain things with people if they are not at least peripherally familiar with the concepts in this book. Highly recommended as a first text.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Morals are, as Rachels quotes Socrates: "No small matter, but how we ought to live." The Elements of Moral Philosophy is a useful introduction to this vast and varied subject because it introduces you to the many different views without ever being glib or shallow, but always with descriptive examples ('An infant with no prospects', 'the question of homosexuality' and the case of the enquiring murderer) that encourage you to develop your ideas, access their validity and to then apply them. This is further helped to break down complex arguments into their main points, clearly set out and discussed. Each of the chapters deals with either one of the major moral philosophical schools or a particular idea and can be read almost as essays on those topics. However, that said, the chapters are neatly set out and logical and easy to read and understand throughout. This is a perfect introductory text for those just starting out and an excellant reference book on the subject of moral philosophy at higher levels.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Good book, strong case on what Morals and morality is
I have read this book, Rachels gives a strong case on what he beleives to make up moral theory. Although I disagree with him on some issues, this is a good book for anyone to... Read more
Published on 23 Feb 1999
An easy to read introduction to moral thought.
If you're looking for an easy to read introduction to moral thought, then look no further. This book can easily be finished in just a few sittings and remains interesting and... Read more
Published on 3 Jan 1999
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