Introduction to Ethics: A Reader

by Andrew Dell'Olio, Caroline J. Simon

Overview

As the perfect companion to introduction to ethics courses, Dell'Olio and Simon's reader includes the most influential ethical theories without overwhelming the beginning student. It contains a variety of readings encompassing contemporary and classic philosophers, male and female perspectives of both Western and non-Western ethical traditions, and readings in both theoretical and applied ethics. Introduction to Ethics comprises of thirty-seven essays divided into nine chapters; the first chapter introduces the nature of moral theory with a brief account of the different moral theories that will follow in the text. Chapters 2 through 8 are each devoted to a particular moral theory with readings that represent the position and those who challenge it, accompanied by an application of the theory to a particular moral problem. Finally, chapter 9 offers readings in practical guidance on 'living a good life.' Each chapter has a brief introduction that provides an overview of the selection with pointers on what to note as the selection is read and concludes with a series of thought-provoking study questions and a selection for further reading making it easier for students to understand and appreciate their reading.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742563575
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	06/16/2010
Series:	Elements of Philosophy
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	478
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.50(d)

About the Author

Andrew J. Dell'Olio is a professor of philosophy at Hope College. Caroline J. Simon is a professor of philosophy at Hope College.

Table of Contents

Preface xi

Chapter 1 Ethics: Thinking about Right Conduct 1

Chapter 2 Religion and Morality 6

The Bible 10

The Qur'an 15

The Bhagavad Gita 17

"God and the Basis of Morality" Kai Nielsen 23

"Commands for Grown-ups" Richard J. Mouw 38

Parliament of the World's Religions, "Declaration Toward a Global Ethic" 51

Study Questions 62

For Further Reading 63

Chapter 3 Moral Relativism 64

American Anthropological Association, "Statement on Human Rights" 67

"The Case Against Ethical Relativism" Louis Pojman, 72

"Moral Relativism Defended" Gilbert Harman 91

"Female Circumcision/Genital Mutilation and Ethical Relativism" Loretta M. Kopelman 106

Study Questions 123

For Further Reading 124

Chapter 4 Natural Law Theory 125

Summa Theologica St. Thomas Aquinas 129

"The Scholastic Theory of Moral Law in the Modern World" Alan Donagan 138

"Toward Understanding the Principle of Double Effect" Joseph M. Boyle Jr. 148

"The Problem of Abortion and the Doctrine of the Double Effect" Philippa Foot 159

Study Questions 169

For Further Reading 170

Chapter 5 Utilitarianism 171

Utilitarianism John Stuart Mill 174

"A Critique of Utilitarianism" Bernard Williams 181

"Rule-Consequentialism" Brad Hooker 188

"The Singer Solution to World Poverty" Peter Singer 201

Study Questions 206

For Further Reading 207

Chapter 6 Ethics of Duty 208

Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals Immanuel Kant 211

"Kantian Ethics" Marcia Baron 224

"What Makes Right Acts Right?" W. D. Ross 234

"Killing, Letting Die, and the Trolley Problem" Judith Jarvis Thomson 240

Study Questions 253

For Further Reading 254

Chapter 7 Virtue Ethics 255

Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle 259

Confucius, Analects 285

An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals David Hume 292

"The Nature of the Virtues" Alasdair MacIntyre 298

"Ideals of Human Excellence and Preserving Natural Environments" Thomas E. Hill Jr. 319

Study Questions 334

For Further Reading 335

Chapter 8 Challenges to Traditional Moral Theory 336

"Morality, the Peculiar Institution" Bernard Williams 340

"The Natural History of Morals" Friedrich Nietzsche 359

"Feminism and Moral Theory" Virginia Held 371

"The Demands of Identity" Kwame Anthony Appiah 389

"Nihilism in Black America" Cornel West 394

Study Questions 401

For Further Reading 402

Chapter 9 Living a Good Life 403

"Philosophy as a Way of Life" Pierre Hadot 407

Phaedo Plato 419

Republic Plato 425

"The Enchiridion, or Manual" Epictetus 442

"The Tao Te Ching" Lao-Tzu 445

"The Ethic of Compassion" Dalai Lama 457

Study Questions 462

For Further Reading 463

About the Editors 465

Editorial Reviews

This is a quite wonderful collection of essays with splendid introductions. Andrew Dell'Olio and Caroline Simon have provided a book that begs to be taught and the invites reflection not just about moral theory but about our moral lives.--Allen Verhey, Duke Divinity School

This is an excellent introductory ethics reader. Selections are wisely chosen, with attention paid to both theoretical and applied ethics, classical and contemporary authors, Eastern and Western traditions, and religious and non-religious perspectives. The well-written introductions to the selections and the helpful study questions will prove useful to both student and instructor.--Kelly Clark, Calvin College

From the Publisher

This is an excellent introductory ethics reader. Selections are wisely chosen, with attention paid to both theoretical and applied ethics, classical and contemporary authors, Eastern and Western traditions, and religious and non-religious perspectives. The well-written introductions to the selections and the helpful study questions will prove useful to both student and instructor.

Kelly Clark

This is a quite wonderful collection of essays with splendid introductions. Andrew Dell'Olio and Caroline Simon have provided a book that begs to be taught and the invites reflection not just about moral theory but about our moral lives.

Allen Verhey