In this accessible and enlightening work, Birsch introduces the main ethical theories in Western philosophy using a procedural approach that enables readers to make ethical evaluations of cases and issues. This novel treatment provides a well-rounded overview of each theoretical approach and attempts to refute the widely held opinion that there are no correct solutions to moral problems.

In this general introduction to ethical theory, Chapter I introduces the reader to philosophical thinking, philosophy's domain, the value of philosophy, and the nature of philosophical ethics. The second chapter examines various impediments to ethical theory including nihilism, determinism, skeptism, relativism, emotivism, egoism, and divine command theory. With these impediments surmounted the subsequent chapters focus on major ethical theories including natural law, virtue, contract, deontological, utilitarianism, existentialism, evolutionary, and feminist. Each chapter systematically presents, critiques, and assesses both classical and contemporary formulations of theory in language accessible to the uninitiated. The author neither dismisses nor advocates particular theories but gives them a fair hearing in a rational forum. The final chapter presents the author's own moral theory in a straightforward but non-dogmatic manner.

In this accessible and instructive work, Birsch introduces the main ethical theories in Western philosophy using a procedural approach that enables readers to make justified ethical evaluations of cases and issues. This novel treatment provides a well-rounded overview of each theoretical approach and attempts to refute the widely held opinion that there are no justified or correct solutions to moral problems. Outstanding features: • Introduces each ethical theory with a discussion of its philosophical starting point • Explains the reasoning and conclusions crucial to each theoretical approach • Discusses each ethical theory’s view of moral significance and moral equality • Develops an ethical procedure based on an ethical theory’s moral rules and principles then applies the procedure to relevant cases, resulting in justified or correct moral solutions for that particular ethical theory • Presents the strengths and weaknesses of each ethical theory • Provides a discussion of the United Nations human rights morality and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights • Includes review questions and additional assignments for further exploration and application of ethical theories

THAT'S RIGHT is an introduction to the field of ethics that provides students with a general overview of the most important ethical theories (Ethical Egoism, Utilitarianism, Deontology, Moral Rights Theory, and Virtue Ethics), along with case studies and exercises to draw out the relevance of these theories for everyday life. The text also includes a wide selection of primary sources by philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, Kant, and Mill (among others) for those seeking to delve even deeper into the study of the great moral theories. ABOUT SOPHIAOMNI PRESSThis text is published by SophiaOmni Press. SophiaOmni is an independent press founded by educators to expand the domain of human wisdom. We publish works in the fields of philosophy, religion, and ethics by past and contemporary authors who have something significant to say about the human condition and our continued existence on this fragile planet. Visit us on the web at www.sophiaomni.org.

This 4th edition of the best-selling introduction to Ethical Theory (originally published by Hodder Education) provides a solid grounding in the subject for those wanting to understand the various ethical theories and how they may be applied to moral issues. As well as introducing utilitarianism, Kantian ethics, Natural Law and other theories, it considers the relationship between ethics and religion and also gives advice on putting together sound and persuasive moral arguments. Written in an accessible style, the text is broken up by boxes introducing key thinkers, quotes and ideas, and each chapter ends with a revision checklist and questions for discussion.

The Dimensions of Ethics offers a concise but wide-ranging introduction to moral philosophy. In clear and engaging fashion, the author first examines the scope of ethical theory, and explores central metaethical questions such as the issue of relativism, and the relationship between morality and religion. He then turns to an exploration of five theoretical approaches (utilitarianism, the deontological approach of Kant, the ethical pluralism of Ross, virtue ethics, and feminist ethics), in each case providing a consideration of various objections that have been advanced as well as a sympathetic exposition of the core principles of each approach. Throughout he uses a wide range of examples, and integrates references to issues in applied ethics with his discussions of ethical theory.

Moral Theory at the Movies provides students with a wonderfully approachable introduction to ethics. The book incorporates film summaries and study questions to draw students into ethical theory and then pairs them with classical philosophical texts. The students see how moral theories, dilemmas, and questions are represented in the given films and learn to apply these theories to the world they live in. There are 36 films and a dozen readings including: Thank you for Smoking, Plato's Gorgias, John Start Mill's Utilitarianism, Hotel Rwanda, Plato's Republic, and Horton Hears a Who. Topics cover a wide variety of ethical theories including, ethical subjectivism, moral relativism, ethical theory, and virtue ethics. Moral Theory at the Movies will appeal to students and help them think about how philosophy is relevant today.