Table of Contents
Meet the author ix
Introduction: What's the point of ethics? 1
What's involved?
What makes something moral?
Applying ethics
Presenting a moral argument
1 Free to choose? 17
What kind of freedom?
Determinism
Reductionism
Freedom and the State
How much freedom does morality need?
2 What do we mean? 33
Three kinds of language
Some key terms
Four theories about moral language
'Is' and 'ought'
3 Scepticism and relativism 49
Scepticism
Relativism
A Machiavellian approach?
Situation ethics
'Post-truth', alternative facts and fake news
Is society always right?
Foundations for ethics
4 Is it natural? 65
Does it have a 'final cause'?
Some features of 'natural law'
How do you decide what is 'natural'?
Applying 'natural law'
Are we naturally good or bad?
Evolution, nature and natural law
5 Looking for results 89
Dostoevsky's dilemma
Hedonism
Utilitarianism
Some general problems with utilitarianism
Applying utilitarian arguments
Trolleys and the human brain
6 The experience of moral choice 115
Conscience
The categorical imperative
The beginning and end of life
Conditioned and yet free?
7 Personal development and virtue 139
What price integrity?
Personal growth
Nietzsche
Virtue ethics
Existentialism
Humankind, Marx and Freud
Gender issues
Diversity and equality
8 Law and order 161
Society and moral choice
Rights and responsibilities
In whose interest?
A social contract
Crime and punishment
In self-defence?
Civil disobedience
International issues
If Nietzsche were a civil servant…
9 Fairness and equality 193
Ethical egoism
Is equality possible?
Selfishness as a policy
Altruism
Business ethics
Media ethics
10 Religion and moral values 221
How are religion and morality related?
The Euthyphro Dilemma
The basis for religious ethics
Religious values and society
Religion and warfare
Is intention enough?
Should religious freedom be restricted?
Some conclusions 245
Moral progress: illusion or necessary hope?
So where does this leave us?
The art of living
Glossary 253
Index 257
