Offering a balance of theory and applications and a mix of text and readings, Consider Ethics begins with chapters covering ethical theory, each of which is followed by related, classical readings. The book concludes with an examination of six contemporary ethical issues presented in a pro/con format with introductory material that places each issue in context. Featuring selections from the world's most influential philosophers, this combination of primary texts and explanatory pedagogy presents the material in a clear, accessible way that does not sacrifice rigor. Making connections among different ethical theories throughout, the text helps students to engage the subject matter and apply theories to important contemporary ethical issues. NEW! Pearson's Reading Hour Program for Instructors Interested in reviewing new and updated texts in Philosophy? Click on the below link to choose an electronic chapter to preview...Settle back, read, and receive a Penguin paperback for your time! http://www.pearsonhighered.com/readinghour/philosophy
Table of Contents:
1. Thinking About Ethics.
Ethics and Critical Thinking.
Studying Ethics.
God's Commandments and Ethics.
Religion and Ethics.
Reading: Plato, Euthyphro.
Exercises
2. Ethics and Reason.
Reasoning about Ethics.
Elements of Kantian Ethics.
Criticisms of Kantian Ethics.
Conclusion.
Reading: Kant, Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysics of Morals.
Exercises
3. Ethics and Emotions.
Follow Your Reason or Follow Your Heart?
Objective and Subjective Feelings.
Intuitionism.
Conclusion.
Reading: Hume, A Treatise of Human Nature.
Exercises
4. Utilitarian Ethics.
Utilitarian Theory.
Act- vs. Rule-Utilitarians.
Utiliatarians and the Quality of Pleasures.
Criticisms of Utilitarian Ethics.
Nozick’s Challenge to Utilitarian Ethics
The Uses of Utilitarian Ethics.
Opposition to Utilitarianism.
Reading: Bentham, An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation.
Reading: Mill, What Utilitarianism Is.
Exercises
5. Social Contract Ethics.
Framing the Social Contract.
Fairness and Social Contract Theory: John Rawls.
Gauthier's Contractarian Ethics.
The Social Contract Myth and its Underlying Assumptions.
Conclusion.
Reading: Hobbes, Leviathan.
Exercises
6. Egoism, Relativism, and Pragmatism.
Egoism.
Relativism.
Pragmatism.
Readings: Rorty, Philosophy and Social Hope.
Exercises
7. Virtue Ethics.
The Distinctive Focus of Virtue Ethics.
The Strengths of Virtue Ethics.
Criticisms of Virtue Theory.
Virtue Theory and Medicine.
Reading: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics.
Exercises
8. Care Ethics.
The Neglect of Women's Ethical Views.
The Care Perspectives on Ethics.
Women and Ethics.
Reading: Baier, The Need for More than Justice.
Exercises
9. The Scope of Morality.
Who is Due Moral Consideration?
Moral Agents.
Darwin and the Moral Status of Nonhuman Animals.
Reading: Darwin, The Descent of Man.
Reading: Frans de Waal, Primates and Philosophers.
Exercises
10. Ethical NonObjectivism.
The Nature of Ethical Nonobjectivism.
Arguments for Ethical Nonobjectivism.
The Continuing Struggle Between Objectivists and Nonobjectivists.
Reading: Ayer, Language, Truth, and Logic.
Exercises
11. Moral Realism.
Contemporary Moral Realism.
Moral Realism and the Argument from Simplicity.
Moral Facts and Scientific Revolutions.
Two Ways that Moral Realism Might Fail.
Reading: Smith, Realism.
Exercises
12. How Hard is Ethics?
The Demands of Ethical Living.
Comparing
