Ethics : Theory and Practice

by Thiroux, Jacques P.; Krasemann, Keith W.

• ISBN13: 9780132302135
• ISBN10: 0132302136
• Edition: 9th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-01-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall

Summary

Well renowned and highly acclaimed,Ethics: Theory and Practiceintroduces readers with little or no background in philosophy or ethics to traditional and contemporary ethical theory using a clear, jargon-free style and a flexible organization.Discussing theories that readers can relate to their own life experiences, this Ninth Edition applies its material to various fields in the real world such as business, medicine, the environment, and the media. A host of examples and case studies illustrates for readers how to set up their own systematic, rational ethics and how to apply ethical theories to traditional and contemporary moral issues.For professionals with a career or interest in philosophy, ethics, psychology, and education.

Table of Contents

Preface	xiii
Chapter 1 What is Morality?	1	(32)
Objectives	1	(1)
What is Philosophy and Ethics' Relationship to It?	1	(1)
Key Terms	2	(4)
Approaches to the Study of Morality	6	(1)
Morality and Its Applications	7	(6)
Where Does Morality Come From?	13	(4)
Customary or Traditional and Reflective Morality	17	(1)
Morality, Law, and Religion	18	(6)
Why Should Human Beings Be Moral?	24	(3)
Chapter Summary	27	(3)
Exercises for Review	30	(1)
Discussion Questions	31	(1)
Notes	31	(1)
Research Navigator™	32	(1)
Chapter 2 Consequentialist (Teleological) Theories of Morality	33	(20)
Objectives	33	(1)
Psychological Egoism	34	(2)
Ethical Egoism	36	(5)
Utilitarianism	41	(5)
Difficulty with Consequentialist Theories in General	46	(1)
Care Ethics	47	(1)
Chapter Summary	48	(2)
Exercises for Review	50	(1)
Discussion Questions	50	(1)
Notes	51	(1)
Research Navigator™	52	(1)
Chapter 3 Nonconsequentialist (Deontological) Theories of Morality	53	(18)
Objectives	53	(1)
Act Nonconsequentialist Theories	54	(3)
Rule Nonconsequentialist Theories	57	(7)
General Criticisms of Nonconsequentialist Theories	64	(1)
Conclusions	65	(1)
Chapter Summary	66	(2)
Exercises for Review	68	(1)
Discussion Questions	69	(1)
Notes	70	(1)
Research Navigator™	70	(1)
Chapter 4 Virtue Ethics	71	(18)
Objectives	71	(1)
Definition of Terms	72	(1)
Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics	72	(2)
Confucian Moral Self-Cultivation	74	(3)
Contemporary Analysis of Virtue Ethics	77	(4)
Who Is The Ideal Virtuous Person?	81	(1)
Vice and Virtue	82	(2)
Conclusions	84	(1)
Chapter Summary	85	(2)
Excersices for Review	87	(1)
Discussion Questions	87	(1)
Notes	87	(1)
Research Navigator™	88	(1)
Chapter 5 Absolutism versus Relativism	89	(16)
Objectives	89	(1)
The Meanings of Absolute	90	(1)
The Meaning of Relative	90	(1)
Cultural Relativism and Cultural Absolutism	91	(2)
Propositions and Truth	93	(7)
Conclusion	100	(1)
Chapter Summary	101	(2)
Exercises for Review	103	(1)
Discussion Questions	103	(1)
Notes	104	(1)
Research Navigator™	104	(1)
Chapter 6 Freedom versus Determinism	105	(18)
Objectives	105	(1)
The Meaning of Determinism	106	(1)
Types and Theories of Determinism	106	(5)
Fatalism and Hard and Soft Determinism	111	(3)
Indeterminism	114	(1)
Criticisms of Hard Determinism and Arguments for Freedom	115	(3)
Conclusion: Soft Determinism	118	(1)
Chapter Summary	119	(2)
Exercises for Review	121	(1)
Discussion Questions	121	(1)
Notes	122	(1)
Research Navigator™	122	(1)
Chapter 7 Reward and Punishment	123	(32)
Objectives	123	(1)
Definition of Key Terms	123	(1)
Reward and Punishment in Relationship to Justice	124	(1)
Elements of Justice	124	(1)
Reward	125	(6)
Theories of How to Reward	131	(2)
John Rawls and His Theory of Justice	133	(2)
Punishment	135	(1)
Theories of Punishment	136	(10)
Is a Synthesis Possible?	146	(2)
Chapter Summary	148	(4)
Exercises for Review	152	(1)
Discussion Questions	153	(1)
Notes	153	(1)
Research Navigator™	154	(1)
Chapter 8 Setting Up a Moral System: Basic Assumptions and Basic Principles	155	(27)
Objectives	155	(1)
Conflicting General Moral Issues	156	(1)
Basic Assumptions	157	(5)
Basic Principles, Individual Freedom, and Their Justification	162	(9)
Priority of the Basic Principles	171	(1)
A General Way of Determining Priority—Two Categories	172	(3)
How the System of Humanitarian Ethics Works	175	(2)
Conclusion	177	(1)
Chapter Summary	178	(2)
Exercises for Review	180	(1)
Discussion Questions	180	(1)
Note	181	(1)
Research Navigator™	181	(1)
Chapter 9 The Taking of Human Life	182	(29)
Objectives	182	(1)
The Taking of Human Life	183	(1)
Suicide	183	(4)
Defense of the Innocent (the Self Included)	187	(1)
Cases for Study and Discussion	188	(1)
War	188	(3)
Terrorism	191	(3)
Cases for Study and Discussion	194	(1)
Capital Punishment	195	(4)
Cases for Study and Discussion	199	(1)
Chapter Summary	200	(3)
Exercises for Review	203	(1)
Views of Major Ethical Theories on the Taking of Human Life	203	(1)
Suicide	203	(2)
Defense of the Innocent	205	(1)
War and Terrorism	206	(2)
Capital Punishment	208	(1)
Reader Reactions	209	(1)
Notes	209	(1)
Research Navigator™	210	(1)
Chapter 10 Allowing Someone to Die, Mercy Death, and Mercy Killing	211	(46)
Objectives	211	(1)
Definition of Terms	212	(1)
Current Legal Status of Mercy Death and Mercy Killing	213	(2)
Allowing Someone to Die	215	(21)
Cases for Study and Discussion	236	(2)
Mercy Death	238	(8)
Cases for Study and Discussion	246	(1)
Mercy Killing	247	(3)
Cases for Study and Discussion	250	(1)
Chapter Summary	251	(4)
Exercises for Review	255	(1)
Views of the Major Ethical Theories on Allowing Someone to Die, Mercy Death, and Mercy Killing	255	(1)
Notes	256	(1)
Research Navigator™	256	(1)
Chapter 11 Abortion	257	(24)
Objectives	257	(1)
Introduction to the Abortion Issue	258	(3)
When Does Human Life Begin?	261	(2)
Arguments Against Abortion	263	(4)
Arguments for Abortion	267	(4)
The More Moderate Positions on Abortion	271	(3)
Cases for Study and Discussion	274	(2)
Chapter Summary	276	(3)
Exercises for Review	279	(1)
Views of the Major Ethical Theories on Abortion	279	(1)
Notes	279	(1)
Research Navigator™	280	(1)
Chapter 12 Lying, Cheating, Breaking Promises, and Stealing	281	(31)
Objectives	281	(1)
Introduction	281	(1)
Definitions of Key Terms	282	(1)
Nonconsequentialist and Consequentialist Views	283	(2)
Lying	285	(6)
Cases for Study and Discussion	291	(2)
Cheating	293	(3)
Cases for Study and Discussion	296	(1)
Breaking Promises	297	(4)
Cases for Study and Discussion	301	(1)
Stealing	302	(4)
Cases for Study and Discussion	306	(1)
Chapter Summary	307	(3)
Exercises for Review	310	(1)
Views of the Major Ethical Theories on Lying, Cheating, Breaking Promises, and Stealing	310	(1)
Notes	310	(1)
Research Navigator™	311	(1)
Chapter 13 Morality, Marriage, and Human Sexuality	312	(29)
Objectives	312	(1)
Major Aspects of Human Sexuality	312	(1)
The Meaning and Purposes of Human Sexuality	313	(4)
Premarital Sex	317	(4)
Sex in Marriage-Type Relationships (Including Nonlegal)	321	(8)
Masturbation	329	(1)
Pornography	330	(2)
Prostitution	332	(1)
Sexual Perversion or "Unnatural" Sexual Activity	333	(1)
Cases for Study and Discussion	334	(1)
Chapter Summary	335	(4)
Exercises for Review	339	(1)
Views of the Major Ethical Theories on Morality, Human Sexuality, and Marriage	340	(1)
Notes	340	(1)
Research Navigator™	340	(1)
Chapter 14 Bioethics—Ethical Issues in Medicine	341	(31)
Objectives	341	(1)
Introduction and Definition of Terms	341	(1)
Health Care Professionals and Patients and Their Families—Rights and Obligations	342	(4)
Truth Telling and Informed Consent	346	(5)
Confidentiality	351	(2)
Guilt and Innocence in Treating Patients	353	(1)
Ethical Issues in Medicine	354	(4)
Stem Cell Research	358	(2)
Cases for Study and Discussion	360	(3)
Chapter Summary	363	(6)
Exercises for Review	369	(1)
Views of the Major Ethical Theories on Bioethical Issues	370	(1)
Notes	370	(1)
Research Navigator™	371	(1)
Chapter 15 Business and Media Ethics	372	(34)
Objectives	372	(1)
Introduction	372	(1)
Rights and Obligations in Business	373	(1)
Two Ways of Approaching Rights and Obligations in Business	374	(2)
The Moderate Position	376	(1)
Justice, Truth Telling, and Honesty in Business	377	(1)
Ethical Issues in Business	378	(6)
Sexual Harassment	384	(3)
The New Global Economy and the International Business Scene	387	(2)
Media Ethics	389	(3)
Corporate Greed—Enron	392	(2)
Cases for Study and Discussion	394	(5)
Chapter Summary	399	(5)
Exercises for Review	404	(1)
Views of the Major Ethical Theories on Business and Media Ethics	405	(1)
Notes	405	(1)
Research Navigator™	405	(1)
Chapter 16 Environmental Ethics	406	(31)
Objectives	406	(1)
Key Terms	406	(1)
Nature and Morality	407	(1)
Environmental Ethical Issues	407	(3)
Our Attitude Toward Nature and What Lies Behind It	410	(2)
Arguments for Use and Exploitation of the Natural Environment	412	(2)
Arguments Against the Use and Exploitation of Nature	414	(1)
Moderate Position	415	(1)
Criteria for Animal Rights	416	(1)
Ways of Dealing with Animal Rights	417	(1)
Use of Animals for Food	418	(1)
Use of Animals for Experimentation	419	(2)
Killing Animals for Sport	421	(2)
Protection of Endangered Species	423	(1)
Non-Western Perspectives on Environmental Issues	424	(4)
Conclusion	428	(1)
Cases for Study and Discussion	428	(2)
Chapter Summary	430	(5)
Exercises for Review	435	(1)
Views of Major Ethical Theories on Environmental Ethics	435	(1)
Notes	435	(1)
Research Navigator™	436	(1)
Appendixes	437	(64)
Introduction	437	(1)
Appendix 1: Applying Humanitarian Ethics to the Moral Problems of the Taking of Human Life	438	(11)
Appendix 2: Applying Humanitarian Ethics to the Moral Problems of Allowing Someone to Die, Mercy Death, and Mercy Killing	449	(9)
Appendix 3: Applying Humanitarian Ethics to the Moral Problems of Abortion	458	(11)
Appendix 4: Applying Humanitarian Ethics to the Moral Problems of Lying, Cheating, Breaking Promises, and Stealing	469	(8)
Appendix 5: Applying Humanitarian Ethics to the Moral Problems of Human Sexuality	477	(6)
Appendix 6: Applying Humanitarian Ethics to Moral Problems in Medicine (Bioethics)	483	(7)
Appendix 7: Applying Humanitarian Ethics to Moral Problems in Business (Business and Media Ethics)	490	(7)
Appendix 8: Applying Humanitarian Ethics to Environmental Ethics	497	(4)
Supplementary Reading	501	(12)
Glossary	513	(12)
Index	525