Contemporary Moral Issues

by Hinman, Lawrence M.

• ISBN13: 9780130862198
• ISBN10: 0130862193
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-01-01
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Summary

For undergraduate courses in Ethics, Social Ethics, and Contemporary Moral Problems. This anthology provides a comprehensive selection of readings on eleven contemporary social issues revolving around three general themes: Matters of Life and Death, Matters of Equality and Diversity, and Expanding the Circle (duties beyond borders, living together with animals, and environmental ethics). Each set of readings is accompanied by an extensive introduction, a bibliographical essay, pre-reading questions, and discussion questions.

Table of Contents

Introduction: A Pluralistic Approach to Contemporary Moral Issues.
Initial Self-Quiz.
Fundamental Principles of Academic Integrity.

I. MATTERS OF LIFE AND DEATH.

1. Abortion.

Experiential Accounts.

Linda Bird Francke, There Just Wasn't Room in Our Lives Now for Another Baby. Naomi Wolf, A Call for Truth.

An Introduction to the Moral Issues.

The Arguments.

Jane English, Abortion and the Concept of a Person. Edward Langerak, Abortion: Listening to the Middle. Don Marquis, Why Abortion Is Immoral.
2. Cloning and Reproductive Technologies.

Narrative Account.

David Shenk, Biocapitalism: What Price the Genetic Revolution?

An Introduction to the Moral Issues.

The Arguments.

Paul Lauritzen, What Price Parenthood? Social and Ethical Aspects of Reproductive Technology. Ronald Bailey, The Twin Paradox: What Exactly Is Wrong with Cloning People? Leon Kass, The Wisdom of Repugnance. Richard A. McCormick, Should We Clone Humans? Wholeness, Individuality, Reverence.
3. Euthanasia.

Narrative Accounts.

Anonymous, It's Over, Debbie. Timothy Quill, MD. Death and Dignity: A Case of Individualized Decision Making.

An Introduction to the Moral Issues.

The Arguments.

John Hardwig, Is There a Duty to Die? James Rachels, Active and Passive Euthanasia. Richard Doerflinger, Assisted Suicide: Pro-Choice or Anti-Life? Gregory Kavka, Banning Euthanasia. Daniel Callahan, Pursuing a Peaceful Death,
4. Punishment and the Death Penalty.

Narrative Account.

Helen Prejean, C.S.J., Crime Victims on the Anvil of Pain.

An Introduction to the Moral Issues.

The Arguments.

David Gelernter, What Do Murderers Deserve? The Dealth Penalty in Civilized Societies Jeffrey H. Reiman, Justice, Civilization, and the Death Penalty. Walter Berns, The Morality of Anger.

II. MATTERS OF DIVERSITY AND EQUALITY.

5. Race and Ethnicity.

Narrative Account.

Studs Turkel, Race: How Blacks & Whites Think & Feel about the American Obsession.

An Introduction to the Moral Issues.

Race and Ethnicity Questionnaire: Developine an Overview.

The Arguments.

Bernard R. Boxill, Equality, Discrimination, and Preferential Treatment. Louis Pojman, Why Affirmative Action Is Immoral. Lawrence A. Blum, Philosophy and the Values of a Multicultural Community.
6. Gender.

Experiential Account.

Frances Conley and Elizabeth L'Hommedieu, Walking Out on the Boys.

An Introduction to the Moral Issues.

The Arguments.

Catherine MacKinnon, What is Sexual Harassment? Linda L. Peterson, The Reasonableness of the Reasonable Woman Standard. Susan Moller Okin, Justice, Gender, and the Family.
7. Sexual Orientation.

Experiential Accounts.

Andre Dubus, A Quiet Siege: the Death and Life of a Gay Naval Officer. David Firestone, Murder Reveals Double Life Of Being Gay in Rural South.

An Introduction to the Moral Issues.

The Arguments.

Barry Goldwater, Job Protection for Gays. Martha Nussbaum, Gay Rights. James Q. Wilson, Against Homosexual Marriage.
8. Poverty and Welfare.

Narrative Account.

Rosemary L. Bray, So How Did I Get Here?

An Introduction to the Moral Issues.

The Arguments.

James Sterba, A Liberation Justification for a Welfare State. Tibor Machan, The Nonexistence of Basic Welfare Rights. Charles Murray, The Coming White Underclass.

III. EXPANDING THE CIRCLE.

9. World Hunger and Poverty.

Narrative Accounts.

Lawrence B. Salander, The Hunger.

An Introduction to the Moral Issues.

The Arguments.

Garrett Hardin, Lifeboat Ethics: The Case Against Helping the Poor. Peter Singer, Rich and Poor. Henry Shue, Solidarity among Strangers and the Right to Food. Hugh LaFollette and Larry May, Suffer the Little Children.
10. Living Together with Animals.

Narrative Account.

Peter Singer, Down on the Factory Farm.

An Introduction to the Moral Issues.

The Arguments.

Tom Regan, The Case for Animal Rights. Bonnie Steinbock, Speciesism and the Idea of Equality. Gary E. Varner, The Prospects for Consensus and Convergence in the Animal Rights Debate.
11. Environmental Ethics.

Narrative Account.

N. Scott Momaday, Native American Attitudes toward the Environment.

An Introduction to the Ethical Issues.

The Arguments.

Robert Elliott, Environmental Ethics. Janna Thomson, The Refutation of Environmental Ethics. Holmes Rolston, III, Challenges in Environmental Ethics. Ramachandra Guha, Radical American Environmentalism and Wilderness Preservation: A Third World Critique.