Ethics: Theory and Practice: United States Edition

With a clear presentation, Ethics: Theory and Practice educates readers about ethical theory and has them apply what they learn to specific classic and contemporary moral problems (lying, cheating, establishing ethical business practices, honoring ethical obligations in medicine, etc.).   Jacques P. Thiroux first wrote this text 1977 in order to educate readers about ethical theory and its applications in a way that beginning students could understand.  The result was an accessible text that isn't too technical and doesn't plunge into complex readings without sufficient background.  The text is fully updated with global issues and non-Western ethical views. Keith W. Krasemann now continues Thiroux's efforts of making Ethical Ideas accesible to students. Besides updating the foundations of the text, Krasemann incoporates new and relevant material, most of which is often unique only to this text. 

Table of Contents:
Preface   Chapter 1 The Nature of Morality Objectives What is Philosophy and Ethics’ Relationship to It? Key Terms Approaches to the Study of Morality Morality and Its Applications Where Does Morality Come From? Customary or Traditional and Reflective Morality Morality, Law, and Religion Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development Why Should Human Beings Be Moral? Chapter Summary Exercises for Review Discussion Questions Notes Research Navigator™   Chapter 2 Consequentialist (Teleological) Theories of Morality Objectives Psychological Egoism Ethical Egoism Utilitarianism Difficulty with Consequentialist Theories in General Care Ethics Chapter Summary Exercises for Review Discussion Questions Notes Research Navigator™   Chapter 3 Nonconsequentialist (Deontological) Theories of Morality Objectives Act Nonconsequentialist Theories Rule Nonconsequentialist Theories General Criticisms of Nonconsequentialist Theories Conclusions Chapter Summary Exercises for Review Discussion Questions Notes Research Navigator™   Chapter 4 Virtue Ethics Objectives Definition of Terms Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics Confucian Moral Self-Cultivation Confucian Role Ethics Contemporary Analysis of Virtue Ethics Who Is The Ideal Virtuous Person? Vice and Virtue Conclusions Chapter Summary Excersices for Review Discussion Questions Notes Research Navigator™   Chapter 5 Absolutism versus Relativism Objectives The Meanings of Absolute The Meaning of Relative Cultural Relativism and Cultural Absolutism Propositions and Truth Conclusion Chapter Summary Exercises for Review Discussion Questions Notes Research Navigator™   Chapter 6 Freedom versus Determinism Objectives The Meaning of Determinism Types and Theories of Determinism Fatalism and Hard and Soft Determinism Indeterminism Criticisms of Hard Determinism and Arguments for Freedom Conclusion: Soft Determinism Chapter Summary Exercises for Review Discussion Questions Notes Research Navigator™   Chapter 7 Reward and Punishment Objectives Definition of Key Terms Reward and Punishment in Relationship to Justice Elements of Justice Reward Theories of How to Reward John Rawls and His Theory of Justice Punishment Theories of Punishment Is a Synthesis Possible? Human Rights Chapter Summary Exercises for Review Discussion Questions Notes Research Navigator™   Chapter 8 Setting Up a Moral System: Basic Assumptions and Basic Principles Objectives Conflicting General Moral Issues Basic Assumptions Basic Principles, Individual Freedom, and Their Justification Priority of the Basic Principles A General Way of Determining Priority—Two Categories How the System of Humanitarian Ethics Works Conclusion Chapter Summary Exercises for Review Discussion Questions Note Research Navigator™   Chapter 9 The Taking of Human Life Objectives The Taking of Human Life Suicide Defense of the Innocent (the Self Included) Cases for Study and Discussion War Terrorism Cases for Study and Discussion Capital Punishment Cases for Study and Discussion Chapter Summary Exercises for Review Views of Major Ethical Theories on the Taking of Human Life Suicide Defense of the Innocent War and Terrorism Capital Punishment Reader Reactions Notes Research Navigator™   Chapter 10 Allowing Someone to Die, Mercy Death, and Mercy Killing Objectives Definition of Terms Current Legal Status of Mercy Death and Mercy Killing Allowing Someone to Die Cases for Study and Discussion Mercy Death Cases for Study and Discussion Mercy Killing Cases for Study and Discussion Chapter Summary Exercises for Review Views of the Major Ethical Theories on Allowing Someone to Die, Mercy Death, and Mercy Killing Notes Research Navigator™   Chapter 11 Abortion Objectives Introduction to the Abortion Issue When Does Human Life Begin? Arguments Against Abortion Arguments for Abortion The More Moderate Positions on Abortion Cases for Study and Discussion Chapter Summary Exercises for Review Views of the Major Ethical Theories on Abortion Notes Research Navigator™   Chapter 12 Lying, Cheating, Breaking Promises, and Stealing Objectives Introduction Definitions of Key Terms Nonconsequentialist and Consequentialist Views Lying Cases for Study and Discussion Cheating Cases for Study and Discussion Breaking Promises Cases for Study and Discussion Stealing Cases for Study and Discussion Chapter Summary Exercises for Review Views of the Major Ethical Theories on Lying, Cheating, Breaking Promises, and Stealing Notes Research Navigator™   Chapter 13 Morality, Marriage, and Human Sexuality Objectives Major Aspects of Human Sexuality The Meaning and Purposes of Human Sexuality Premarital Sex Sex in Marriage-Type Relationships (Including Nonlegal) Masturbation Pornography Prostitution Sexual Perversion or “Unnatural” Sexual Activity Cases for Study and Discussion Chapter Summary Exercises for Review Views of the Major Ethical Theories on Morality, Human Sexuality, and Marriage Notes Research Navigator™   Chapter 14 Bioethics—Ethical Issues in Medicine Objectives Introduction and Definition of Terms Health Care Professionals and Patients and Their Families—Rights and Obligations Truth Telling and Informed Consent Confidentiality Guilt and Innocence in Treating Patients Ethical Issues in Medicine Stem Cell Research Cases for Study and Discussion Chapter Summary Exercises for Review Views of the Major Ethical Theories on Bioethical Issues Notes Research Navigator™   Chapter 15 Business and Media Ethics Objectives Introduction Rights and Obligations in Business Two Ways of Approaching Rights and Obligations in Business The Moderate Position Justice, Truth Telling, and Honesty in Business Ethical Issues in Business Sexual Harassment The New Global Economy and the International Business Scene Media Ethics Corporate Greed—Enron Cases for Study and Discussion Chapter Summary Exercises for Review Views of the Major Ethical Theories on Business and Media Ethics Notes Research Navigator™   Chapter 16 Environmental Ethics Objectives Key Terms Nature and Morality Environmental Ethical Issues Our Attitude Toward Nature and What Lies Behind It Arguments for Use and Exploitation of the Natural Environment Arguments Against the Use and Exploitation of Nature Moderate Position Criteria for Animal Rights Ways of Dealing with Animal Rights Use of Animals for Food Use of Animals for Experimentation Killing Animals for Sport Protection of Endangered Species Non-Western Perspectives on Environmental Issues Conclusion Cases for Study and Discussion Chapter Summary Exercises for Review Views of Major Ethical Theories on Environmental Ethics Notes Research Navigator™   Appendixes Introduction Appendix 1: Applying Humanitarian Ethics to the Moral Problems of the Taking of Human Life Appendix 2: Applying Humanitarian Ethics to the Moral Problems of Allowing Someone to Die, Mercy Death, and Mercy Killing Appendix 3: Applying Humanitarian Ethics to the Moral Problems of Abortion Appendix 4: Applying Humanitarian Ethics to the Moral Problems of Lying, Cheating, Breaking Promises, and Stealing Appendix 5: Applying Humanitarian Ethics to the Moral Problems of Human Sexuality Appendix 6: Applying Humanitarian Ethics to Moral Problems in Medicine (Bioethics) Appendix 7: Applying Humanitarian Ethics to Moral Problems in Business (Business and Media Ethics) Appendix 8: Applying Humanitarian Ethics to Environmental Ethics   Supplementary Reading Glossary Index

About the Author :
Jacques P. Thiroux is Professor Emeritus at Bakersfield College and Califorrnia State University. Keith W. Krasemann is Professor of  Philosophy and Religious Studies at College of DuPage.