Short History of Ethics
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'Very powerful ... this book is an impressive contribution to our endless argument about the meaning of ethical concepts.' -- The Observer
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A Short History of Ethics has over the past thirty years become a key philosophical contribution to studies on morality and ethics. Alasdair MacIntyre writes a new preface for this second edition which looks at the book 'thirty years on' and considers its impact. A Short History of Ethics guides the reader through the history of moral philosophy from the Greeks to contemporary times. MacIntyre emphasises the importance of a historical context to moral concepts and ideas showing the relevance of philosophical queries on moral concepts and the importance of a historical account of ethics.
A Short History of Ethics is an important contribution written by one of the most important living philosophers. Ideal for all philosophy students interested in ethics and morality.
A Short History of Ethics is an important contribution written by one of the most important living philosophers. Ideal for all philosophy students interested in ethics and morality.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
This book offers a great deal if you are interested in the history of ethics; particularly, what the great philosophers had to say regarding ethics, and what movements have re-shaped ethical discussion (e.g. romanticism, the reformation etc).
MacIntyre displays a thorough knowledge of the ideas of the ancient greek philosophers, dedicating a large share of this book to Aristotle and Plato. His outline here is very impressive, which addresses the complexities in understanding the subtle differences in meanings in greek language, and how these differences can help us understand the mindset of the people and the times (for example, the equivalent words for terms such as 'good' connotated slightly different things, e.g. one could not be 'good' and fail. For in some cases, 'Failure' was a closer binary opposite to 'good' than many terms which would seem more meaningful opposites today).
Unfortuneatley, the section regarding christian ethics is very slight (particularly early, through to the medieval period), which leaves this an unbalanced work, considering there is three whole chapters on Plato. He confesses that his understanding of christian ethics was inadequate at the time of writing thsi book, and highlights errors and inadequacies in the preface. For this reason, I recommend buying this routledge classics edition, as it has a superb and honest preface, where MacIntyre expresses how the book was recieved and acknowledges a number of criticisms.
The book is noteably impressive for the outline of greek ethics (and contextualising them), but there is a very good account of the key approaches to ethics in the 1600s, 1700s and 1800s, e.g. regarding Kant, Hegel, Marx, Nietzche through to the movements of the 1900s (e.g. utilitarianism) and then onto early 20th century writers (Ayer, Warnock and Satre among many others).
The book is challenging to read in places but always rewarding. Its weaknesses are made up for by the fact that he acknowledges them in the preface, so you are aware of these weaknesses as you work your way through the text. A great work, well worth reading.
MacIntyre displays a thorough knowledge of the ideas of the ancient greek philosophers, dedicating a large share of this book to Aristotle and Plato. His outline here is very impressive, which addresses the complexities in understanding the subtle differences in meanings in greek language, and how these differences can help us understand the mindset of the people and the times (for example, the equivalent words for terms such as 'good' connotated slightly different things, e.g. one could not be 'good' and fail. For in some cases, 'Failure' was a closer binary opposite to 'good' than many terms which would seem more meaningful opposites today).
Unfortuneatley, the section regarding christian ethics is very slight (particularly early, through to the medieval period), which leaves this an unbalanced work, considering there is three whole chapters on Plato. He confesses that his understanding of christian ethics was inadequate at the time of writing thsi book, and highlights errors and inadequacies in the preface. For this reason, I recommend buying this routledge classics edition, as it has a superb and honest preface, where MacIntyre expresses how the book was recieved and acknowledges a number of criticisms.
The book is noteably impressive for the outline of greek ethics (and contextualising them), but there is a very good account of the key approaches to ethics in the 1600s, 1700s and 1800s, e.g. regarding Kant, Hegel, Marx, Nietzche through to the movements of the 1900s (e.g. utilitarianism) and then onto early 20th century writers (Ayer, Warnock and Satre among many others).
The book is challenging to read in places but always rewarding. Its weaknesses are made up for by the fact that he acknowledges them in the preface, so you are aware of these weaknesses as you work your way through the text. A great work, well worth reading.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is a very readable outline of the history of western moral philosophy. I found it highly enjoyable and also think I learned something from reading it. Perhaps I could compare it to Russell's History of Western Philosophy, though limited to the field of ethics. Like Russell, MacIntyre makes his opinins known at times, but one doesn't have to agree with him to enjoy the book.
8 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This was exactly what I was looking for. Macintyre is both a historian of ideas and a philospher in his own right. It gives him a lot of authority. I also liked his insistence on the difficulty of finding grounds for an authoritative ethical system.
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