Principles of Moral Philosophy
Classic and Contemporary Approaches
Published on 15. February 2016
Book
Paperback/Softback
592 pages
978-0-19-049100-0 (ISBN)
Description
Principles of Moral Philosophy: Classic and Contemporary Approaches covers all the major theories in normative ethics--relativism, egoism, divine command theory, natural law, Kantian ethics, consequentialism, pluralism, social contract theory, virtue ethics, the ethics of care, and particularism--and also includes sections on applied ethics and metaethics. It provides students with a balanced introduction to an array of approaches to topics in normative
ethics, offering traditional theories alongside criticisms of them. The readings are enhanced by a variety of pedagogical features including a general introduction, an introduction to each reading, study questions
after each reading, and a glossary of key terms.
With one-third of its contemporary readings authored by women, Principles of Moral Philosophy is the most inclusive and balanced normative ethics reader available. A password-protected Instructor's Manual is available on the book's Ancillary Resource Center.
ethics, offering traditional theories alongside criticisms of them. The readings are enhanced by a variety of pedagogical features including a general introduction, an introduction to each reading, study questions
after each reading, and a glossary of key terms.
With one-third of its contemporary readings authored by women, Principles of Moral Philosophy is the most inclusive and balanced normative ethics reader available. A password-protected Instructor's Manual is available on the book's Ancillary Resource Center.
Reviews / Votes
"Principles of Moral Philosophy is a superior book for ethics classes. The introduction complements the book's structure very well, preparing students for each new ethical theory and showing how they fare against each other. The book also offers readings in applied ethics. The greater number of selections both by women and against tradition is a strength of the book."--Joshua Johnston, Auburn University"This anthology covers an impressive range of central topics in normative ethics."--Fernando Zapata, Hunter College, City University of New York
"Cahn and Forcehimes have compiled excellent readings in Principles of Moral Philosophy, including sections on egoism, divine command, and relativism. This volume is strong in its treatment of consequentialism and Kantian ethics and also includes an engaging section on applied ethics."--Paul Pistone, Palomar College
"This concise collection of essential readings provides the perfect collection for a class focused on normative ethical theory. It maintains the importance of historical sources without compromising the breadth of contemporary literature. The introduction does a great job of introducing the role of reason, principle, and justification in normative ethics. Turning to these classic writings will provide a rich and comprehensive introductory ethics
course."--Kenneth Shockley, University at Buffalo, State University of New York
"The strengths of Principles of Moral Philosophy include its breadth (which isn't overwhelming) and the mix of historical and contemporary readings. To date, there hasn't been anything to compete with Timmons' Conduct and Character, and this does. It also has greater breadth at a better price point."--Ellen M. Maccarone, Gonzaga University
"This is a very good collection that covers the important theories effectively. The selections are very strong, with a nice balance of classic or well-known pieces and newer or less-often-used ones. The introduction does a nice job of introducing the basic questions of normative ethics in a way that illustrates how philosophical questions can arise in familiar and even quotidian contexts. It also introduces more technical vocabulary effectively and naturally
and without making things too difficult. It functions rather like Timmons' introduction to Conduct and Character, though it probably works better."--Dennis Arjo, Johnson County Community College
"I like that Principles of Moral Philosophy takes a pro/con approach to the different topics it addresses. It includes most of the standard primary source texts and contains some promising secondary articles on Kant and Aristotle."--Greg Lynch, North Central College
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 191 mm
Thickness: 32 mm
Weight
1093 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-049100-0 (9780190491000)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Steven M. Cahn is Professor of Philosophy at The City University of New York Graduate Center. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books. Most recently, he coauthored Happiness and Goodness: Philosophical Reflections on Living Well (2015). Dr. Cahn is the editor of The World of Philosophy (OUP, 2015), Ethics, Sixth Edition (OUP, 2015), Exploring Philosophy, Fifth Edition (OUP, 2014), Political
Philosophy, Third Edition (OUP, 2014), and Exploring Ethics, Third Edition (OUP, 2013). Andrew T. Forcehimes is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. He has published articles in Ethics, Pacific Philosophical Quarterly, Journal of Ethics and Social Philosophy, Utilitas, and Res Publica. He is also the coeditor, with Larry May, of Morality, Jus Post Bellum, and International Law (2012).
Philosophy, Third Edition (OUP, 2014), and Exploring Ethics, Third Edition (OUP, 2013). Andrew T. Forcehimes is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. He has published articles in Ethics, Pacific Philosophical Quarterly, Journal of Ethics and Social Philosophy, Utilitas, and Res Publica. He is also the coeditor, with Larry May, of Morality, Jus Post Bellum, and International Law (2012).
Content
Preface: PART 1. INTRODUCTION The Anatomy of Normative Ethics Andrew T. Forcehimes: PART 2. RELATIVISM Moral Relativism: A Defense Ruth Benedict: Moral Isolationism Mary Midgley: PART 3. EGOISM The Republic Plato: In Defense of Egoism Jesse Kalin: Egoism and Moral Skepticism James Rachels: PART 4. DIVINE COMMAND THEORY God and Morality Steven M. Cahn: A Modified Divine Command Theory Robert M. Adams: PART 5. NATURAL LAW Summa Contra Gentiles Thomas Aquinas: Natural Law John Finnis: Natural Law Russ Shafer-Landau: PART 6. KANTIAN ETHICS Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals Immanuel Kant: Kantianism Shelly Kagan: On the Value of Acting from the Motive of Duty Barbara Herman: Kant's Formula of Humanity Christine M. Korsgaard: Moral Luck Thomas Nagel: PART 7. CONSEQUENTIALISM An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation Jeremy Bentham: Utilitarianism John Stuart Mill: The Meaning and Proof of Utilitarianism Henry Sidgwick: Well-Being Shelly Kagan: Objective and Subjective Consequentialism Julia Driver: Rule-consequentialism versus Act-consequentialism Brad Hooker: A Critique of Utilitarianism Bernard Williams: PART 8. PLURALISM The Right and the Good W. D. Ross: An Unconnected Heap of Duties? David McNaughton: How Strong Is this Obligation? Walter Sinnott-Armstrong: PART 9. SOCIAL CONTRACT THEORY Leviathan Thomas Hobbes: A Theory of Justice John Rawls: Why Contractarianism? David Gauthier: What We Owe to Each Other T. M. Scanlon: Can Contract Theory Ground Morality? Philip Pettit: PART 10. VIRTUE ETHICS Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle: Virtue Ethics Julia Annas: Normative Virtue Ethics Rosalind Hursthouse: Virtue and Right Robert N. Johnson: PART 11. THE ETHICS OF CARE Moral Orientation and Moral Development Carol Gilligan: Beyond Caring Marilyn Friedman: The Ethics of Care Virginia Held: PART 12. PARTICULARISM Existentialism Is a Humanism Jean-Paul Sartre: Particularism, Universalism. and Commonsense Morality Shelly Kagan: PART 13. APPLIED ETHICS A Defense of Abortion Judith Jarvis Thomson: An Argument that Abortion Is Wrong Don Marquis: Virtue Theory and Abortion Rosalind Hursthouse: Famine, Affluence, and Morality Peter Singer: Reply to Singer Travis Timmerman: The Trolley Problem Judith Jarvis Thomson: The Altruism Puzzle Steven M. Cahn, Harry Brighouse, and Robert B. Talisse: PART 14. METAETHICS A Treatise of Human Nature David Hume: Principia Ethica G. E. Moore: Ethics and Observation Gilbert Harman: Realism Michael Smith: Morality as a System of Hypothetical Imperatives Philippa Foot: The Last Word Thomas Nagel: Glossary: Index: