Clear, accurate presentation of the most important classical and contemporary theories in normative and metaethics-utilitarianism (act and rule), egoism, the categorical imperative, social contract theory, formalism, relativism (belief and conceptual), naturalism and non- naturalism, emotivism and prescriptive. Integrates thorough discussion of related concepts including justice, the will, autonomy, promises, punishment and universal law.

This book examines the central questions of ethics through a study of the great ethical works of Western philosophy.

We often make judgments about good and bad, right and wrong. Philosophical ethics is the critical examination of these and other concepts central to how we evaluate our own and each others' behavior and choices. This text examines some of the main threads of discussion on these topics that have developed over the last couple of millenia, mostly within the Western cultural tradition.The book is designed to be used alone or alongside a reader of historical and contemporary original sources, and is freely available in web and digital formats at https: //press.rebus.community/intro-to-phil-ethics/. If you are adopting or adapting this book for a course, please let us know on our adoption form for the Introduction to Philosophy open textbook series: https: //docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdwf2E7bRGvWefjhNZ07kgpgnNFxVxxp-iidPE5gfDBQNGBGg/viewform?usp=sf_link. Cover art by Heather Salazar; cover design by Jonathan Lashley. One of nine books in the Introduction to Philosophy open textbook serie

As the perfect companion to introduction to ethics courses, Dell'Olio and Simon's reader includes the most influential ethical theories without overwhelming the beginning student. It contains a variety of readings encompassing contemporary and classic philosophers, male and female perspectives of both Western and non-Western ethical traditions, and readings in both theoretical and applied ethics. Introduction to Ethics comprises of thirty-seven essays divided into nine chapters; the first chapter introduces the nature of moral theory with a brief account of the different moral theories that will follow in the text. Chapters 2 through 8 are each devoted to a particular moral theory with readings that represent the position and those who challenge it, accompanied by an application of the theory to a particular moral problem. Finally, chapter 9 offers readings in practical guidance on 'living a good life.' Each chapter has a brief introduction that provides an overview of the selection with pointers on what to note as the selection is read and concludes with a series of thought-provoking study questions and a selection for further reading making it easier for students to understand and appreciate their reading.

"Since time immemorial, people have preached the necessity to live by the tenets of honesty, compassion and decencythat integrity is the only foundation upon which true life itself is built. But no matter how well Man has intuitively known this, none could point the way to achieve it. Is it any wonder, then, that the very subject of ethics has become either what one can get away with or whats good for oneself alone? One cant live in a world where ethics itself is a charade and where justice has become a mockery of civilization. Here, then, is a brand-new look, a way for an individual to pull oneself up, for a society to reverse its downward slide, for Man to ascend to the heights of a dreamed-for destiny. For contained in this book are the breakthroughs that bring understanding to the subjects of right and wrong, good and bad, death and survival."

In this remarkably accessible, concise, and engaging introduction to moral philosophy, Steven M. Cahn brings together a rich, balanced, and wide-ranging collection of fifty-two readings on ethical theory and contemporary moral issues. He has carefully edited all the articles to ensure that they will be exceptionally clear and understandable to undergraduate students. The selections are organized into three parts--Challenges to Morality, Moral Theories, and Moral Problems--providing instructors with flexibility in designing and teaching a variety of ethics courses. Each reading is followed by study questions. The fifth edition features twelve new articles and unparalleled representation of women philosophers, with nearly half of the essays authored or coauthored by women. A password-protected Instructor's Manual is available on the book's Ancillary Resource Center. Visit the book's free, open-access Companion Website for additional student and instructor resources.