Eight Theories of EthicsIs it possible to study ethics objectively, or are moral judgements inevitably subjective? Are ancient theories of ethics of any contemporary relevance? Which ethical theory offers the most convincing explanation of how best to live one's life? Eight Theories of Ethicsis a comprehensive introduction to the theories of ethics encountered by first-time students. Gordon Graham introduces the fundamental concepts that underpin ethics, such as relativism and objectivity, and then devotes his attention to each of the eight major theories of ethics: * egoism * hedonism * naturalism and virtue theory * existentialism * Kantianism * utilitarianism * contractualism * religion. Throughout the book, Gordon Graham draws on examples from great moral philosophers such as Aristotle, Kant and Mill, and also from contemporary debates over human nature, the environment and citizenship. Eight Theories of Ethicsis written in an engaging and student-friendly style, with detailed suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter - including original sources and contemporary discussions. It is ideal for anyone coming to this area of philosophy for the first time, and for those studying ethics in related disciplines such as politics, law, nursing and medicine. |
Contents
III | 1 |
IV | 3 |
V | 7 |
VI | 10 |
VII | 14 |
VIII | 15 |
IX | 17 |
X | 20 |
XLVIII | 114 |
XLIX | 115 |
L | 116 |
LI | 118 |
LII | 122 |
LIII | 126 |
LIV | 128 |
LVI | 130 |
XI | 22 |
XII | 24 |
XIII | 27 |
XIV | 36 |
XV | 38 |
XVI | 39 |
XVII | 40 |
XVIII | 42 |
XIX | 43 |
XX | 47 |
XXI | 49 |
XXII | 52 |
XXIII | 53 |
XXIV | 54 |
XXV | 56 |
XXVI | 58 |
XXVII | 61 |
XXVIII | 63 |
XXIX | 66 |
XXX | 67 |
XXXI | 69 |
XXXII | 70 |
XXXIII | 71 |
XXXIV | 76 |
XXXV | 79 |
XXXVI | 83 |
XXXVII | 85 |
XXXVIII | 87 |
XXXIX | 92 |
XL | 95 |
XLI | 97 |
XLII | 98 |
XLIV | 101 |
XLV | 105 |
XLVI | 108 |
XLVII | 111 |
LVII | 133 |
LVIII | 135 |
LIX | 137 |
LX | 139 |
LXI | 141 |
LXII | 143 |
LXIII | 144 |
LXIV | 148 |
LXV | 149 |
LXVI | 150 |
LXVII | 153 |
LXVIII | 155 |
LXIX | 158 |
LXX | 161 |
LXXI | 162 |
LXXII | 164 |
LXXIII | 167 |
LXXIV | 170 |
LXXV | 173 |
LXXVI | 175 |
LXXVII | 176 |
LXXIX | 179 |
LXXX | 181 |
LXXXI | 183 |
LXXXII | 185 |
LXXXIII | 189 |
LXXXIV | 191 |
LXXXV | 194 |
LXXXVI | 197 |
LXXXVII | 199 |
LXXXVIII | 203 |
LXXXIX | 205 |
XC | 207 |
211 | |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
absurd accept act utilitarianism action actually agree answer appeal argument Aristotle behaviour belief Bentham called Callicles Camus categorical imperative chapter choice choose Christian claim conception concerned consent consequences consequentialist consider context counter-examples course Cyrenaics David Hume desire distinction doctrine ethics ethology Euthyphro dilemma evil example existence existentialism existentialist explain fact faith famous Greatest Happiness Principle hedonism hedonists Hume idea imply important individual instance interests Kant Kant's Kantian Kierkegaard live logical matter means Mill Mill's moral philosophy moral realism morally right Nazi Nietzsche Nietzsche's objective pain person philosophical piness Plato pleasure point of view possible practical reason problem problem of evil promise psychological egoism question rational egoism religion religious reply responsibility right and wrong rule utilitarian Sartre seems sense Sisyphus social sociobiology Socrates someone sort subjective suppose theory things thought tion true truth Übermensch utility