Moral Philosophy : Theories and Issues

by Barcalow, Emmett

• ISBN13: 9780495007159
• ISBN10: 0495007153
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-04-18
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

Half theory, half practical application! MORAL PHILOSOPHY: THEORIES AND ISSUES is the easy-to-understand philosophy textbook that's designed specifically for you, the student without a philosophy background. You'll not only learn about moral philosophy, you'll discover how to apply it to your own life. And because it's packed with study tools inside, MORAL PHILOSOPHY: THEORIES AND ISSUES is ideal for preparing for tests.

Table of Contents

PREFACE	XVII
1 Morality and Moral Reasoning	1	(25)
Introduction	1	(1)
Moral Judgments	2	(3)
Philosophical Questions about Moral Judgments	2	(1)
Kinds of Moral Judgment	3	(1)
Moral Judgments and Moral Reasons	4	(1)
Moral Arguments	5	(3)
All-Things-Considered Singular Moral Judgments	6	(1)
Absolute Moral Principles	7	(1)
Universality	7	(1)
Evaluating Moral Arguments	8	(1)
Nonmoral Claims Must Be True or Reasonable	8	(1)
Deductive Validity and Inductive Strength	8	(1)
Soundness and Cogency	9	(1)
The Concept of Moral Judgment	9	(5)
Impartiality and the Moral Point of View	10	(2)
Harm, Benefit, and Morality	12	(1)
Morality and Freedom	13	(1)
Moral Disagreement	14	(2)
Appealing to What "We" Agree On	14	(1)
Why Do People Disagree?	15	(1)
Morality and Law	16	(1)
Basic Moral Principles	17	(1)
Intuitionism	18	(6)
One or Many?	21	(1)
Basic Moral Principles Are Neither True Nor Justified?	21	(1)
Agreement on Basic Moral Principles	22	(1)
Duties to Ourselves?	22	(1)
Reflective Equilibrium	23	(1)
Exercises	24	(1)
Endnotes	25	(1)
2 Natural Law and Divine Commands	26	(20)
Introduction	26	(2)
Cloning and Genetic Engineering	26	(1)
Cosmetic Surgery	27	(1)
Same-Sex Marriage	27	(1)
Stoicism	28	(3)
Thomas Aquinas	31	(4)
Hobbes	35	(2)
Philippa Foot	37	(2)
The Divine Command Theory	39	(5)
Problems for the Divine Command Theory	41	(1)
Religion and a Meaningful Life	42	(2)
Exercises	44	(1)
Suggested Readings	45	(1)
Internet Resources	45	(1)
Endnotes	45	(1)
3 Realism, Nihilism, Subjectivism, and Relativism	46	(19)
Introduction	46	(1)
Moral Realism	47	(3)
Why Think That Moral Judgments Can Be True or False?	49	(1)
Moral Nihilism	50	(3)
Moral Subjectivism	53	(5)
Reasons Supporting Moral Subjectivism	54	(3)
Problems for Moral Subjectivism	57	(1)
Moral Relativism	58	(3)
Does Moral Disagreement Entail Moral Relativism?	59	(1)
Tolerance Is a Virtue	60	(1)
Shouldn't People Conform to the Moral Code of Their Society?	60	(1)
Relativism and Moral Inquiry	61	(1)
Conclusion	61	(1)
Exercises	62	(1)
Suggested Readings	63	(1)
Internet Resources	64	(1)
Endnotes	64	(1)
4 Psychological Egoism and Moral Egoism	65	(15)
Commonsense Morality	65	(2)
Psychological Egoism	67	(3)
Moral Egoism	70	(7)
Moral Egoism and the Common Good	71	(1)
The Meaning of a "Moral" Reason	72	(1)
Moral Egoism and Universality	72	(1)
Moral Egoism and Social Harmony	73	(1)
Modified Moral Egoism	74	(2)
Short-Term Versus Long-Term Self-Interest	76	(1)
Exercises	77	(1)
Suggested Readings	78	(1)
Internet Resources	79	(1)
Endnotes	79	(1)
5 Utilitarianism	80	(16)
Introduction	80	(4)
Act Utilitarianism	84	(5)
Objections to Act Utilitarianism	87	(1)
Act Utilitarianism Ignores the Distribution of Happiness	88	(1)
Act Utilitarianism Ignores Duties	89	(1)
Rule Utilitarianism	89	(3)
Advantages of Rule Utilitarianism	91	(1)
An Objection to Rule Utilitarianism	91	(1)
Problems for All Versions of Utilitarianism	92	(1)
Exercises	93	(1)
Suggested Readings	94	(1)
Internet Resources	95	(1)
6 Kantian Moral Theory	96	(18)
Introduction	96	(2)
Kant and the Good Will	98	(2)
Actions and Maxims	100	(2)
The Categorical Imperative	102	(6)
Universal Law Formulation	102	(1)
Maxims and Universal Laws	103	(1)
Inconsistencies in Willing That a Maxim Becomes a Universal Law	103	(4)
Duties Derived from the Categorical Imperative	107	(1)
The Categorical Imperative: "Respect for People" Formulation	108	(3)
Exercises	111	(1)
Suggested Readings	112	(1)
Internet Resource	113	(1)
Endnotes	113	(1)
7 Virtue and Vice	114	(36)
Introduction	114	(2)
The Dalai Lama	116	(1)
Which Are the Virtues, Which Are the Vices?	117	(1)
Aristotle on Virtue	117	(7)
Happiness/Eudaimonia	118	(1)
Flourishing	119	(2)
Virtue, Vice, and Flourishing	121	(3)
Virtues and Vices as Guides to Action	124	(1)
The Unity of Virtue	124	(7)
Compassion	125	(1)
Courage	126	(1)
Self-Control/Self-Discipline	126	(2)
Arrogance	128	(1)
Selfishness/Self-Absorption	129	(1)
Responsibility	130	(1)
Epicureans	131	(2)
Stoicism	133	(1)
Hobbes and Hume	134	(2)
The Seven Deadly Sins	136	(2)
Virtues as Dispositions to Obey Moral Rules	138	(1)
Virtue and Vice in Hinduism: Ahimsa	138	(3)
Virtue and Vice in Buddhism	141	(5)
The Dalai Lama	144	(2)
Character and Freedom	146	(1)
Exercises	147	(1)
Suggested Readings	147	(1)
Endnotes	148	(2)
8 Human Rights	150	(31)
Assaults on Human Dignity	150	(4)
"Untouchables" (Dalits) in India	150	(1)
Roma (Gypsies)	151	(2)
Child Farmworkers in the United States	153	(1)
Rights	154	(2)
The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights	156	(6)
The Foundation of the Declaration	160	(2)
Classification of Rights	162	(5)
The Meaning of a Right	162	(1)
Rights to Security from Very Serious Physical and Psychological Harm	163	(1)
Rights to Equal Protection and Equality Before the Law	164	(1)
Rights to Political Participation	164	(2)
Rights to Liberty or Freedom	166	(1)
John Stuart Mill and the Harm Principle	167	(1)
Feinberg: Four Possible Principles Legitimizing Coercion	168	(5)
The Harm Principle	169	(1)
The Offense Principle	169	(1)
Hard and Soft Paternalism	170	(1)
Legal Moralism	171	(2)
Seven Basic Freedoms	173	(1)
Welfare Rights	173	(4)
The Right to an Adequate Standard of Living	173	(1)
The Right to Employment	174	(1)
The Right to Just and Favorable Remuneration	174	(1)
The Right to Rest, Leisure, and Reasonable Working Hours	175	(1)
The Right to Education	175	(1)
Justifying Welfare Rights	176	(1)
Exercises	177	(1)
Suggested Readings	178	(1)
Internet Resources	179	(1)
Endnotes	179	(2)
9 Feminism and Sexual Equality	181	(26)
Patriarchy	181	(1)
First Wave Feminism in the United States	182	(4)
Second Wave Feminism in the United States	186	(2)
The Current State of Women in the United States	188	(1)
Women Outside the United States	188	(2)
Contemporary Feminist Theories: The Third Wave	190	(1)
Liberal Feminism	190	(4)
Reproductive Rights	191	(1)
Equal Opportunity, Care, and the Family	192	(1)
Sexual Harassment	193	(1)
The Ideal of Androgyny	194	(2)
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women	196	(2)
Male Justice Versus Female Care Approaches to Moral Decision Making	198	(2)
Are Justice and Care Approaches Incompatible?	200	(3)
The Case of Killing the White Crow	200	(1)
The Case of the Moles and the Porcupine	201	(2)
Why Can't a Man Be More Like a Woman?	203	(1)
Exercises	203	(1)
Suggested Readings	204	(1)
Internet Resource	205	(1)
Endnotes	205	(2)
10 Morality and Sex	207	(16)
Introduction	207	(1)
Sex Without Marriage	208	(2)
Sex and Happiness	210	(1)
Moral Duties Within Sexual Relationships	211	(1)
The Double Standard	212	(1)
Pornography	212	(2)
Adultery	214	(2)
Prostitution	216	(5)
Homosexuality	217	(1)
Homosexuality and God's Law	218	(1)
Are Homosexual Acts Unnatural?	218	(2)
Does Homosexuality Threaten the Family?	220	(1)
Same-Sex Marriages	220	(1)
Exercises	221	(1)
Suggested Readings	222	(1)
Endnote	222	(1)
11 Life and Death Issues	223	(36)
Abortion	223	(16)
Roe v. Wade	224	(2)
Constitutionality and Morality	226	(1)
The Right-to-Life Position on Abortion	226	(1)
The Most Liberal View on Abortion	227	(1)
Personhood	227	(3)
Voluntariness	230	(2)
Moderate Positions on Abortion	232	(1)
Stage of Development	233	(1)
Reasons for Wanting an Abortion	234	(1)
Infertility Treatments	234	(1)
Sex Selection	235	(1)
Applying Moral Theories to Abortion	235	(2)
Should Abortion Be Legally Permitted?	237	(1)
Public Funding of Abortion	238	(1)
Suicide	239	(8)
Suicide in Ancient Greece and Rome	239	(2)
Suicide and Religion	241	(1)
Suicide and the Possibility of Error	241	(1)
Suicide and Autonomy	242	(1)
Good Reasons for Committing Suicide	242	(1)
Bad Reasons for Committing Suicide	243	(1)
Suicide and the Duty to Minimize Harm to Others	244	(1)
Suicide and Moral Theory	244	(2)
Rights, Duties, and Suicide Preventions	246	(1)
Euthanasia	247	(7)
Impaired Newborns	247	(1)
Irreversible Comas	248	(1)
End-of-Life Cases	249	(1)
Active and Passive Euthanasia	249	(1)
Extraordinary Treatment and Extraordinary Care	250	(1)
Voluntary, Nonvoluntary, and Involuntary Euthanasia	250	(1)
Involuntary Euthanasia	251	(1)
Voluntary Passive Euthanasia	251	(1)
Voluntary Active Euthanasia	252	(1)
Nonvoluntary Passive Euthanasia	253	(1)
Nonvoluntary Active Euthanasia	254	(1)
Exercises	254	(2)
Suggested Readings	256	(1)
Endnotes	257	(2)
12 Economic Inequality, Poverty, and Equal Opportunity	259	(14)
Introduction	259	(2)
Is Too Much Economic Inequality Morally Wrong?	261	(4)
The Case for Equality	261	(3)
Arguments Against Equality	264	(1)
Is Poverty in the Midst of Affluence Morally Wrong?	265	(2)
Arguments for Relieving Poverty	266	(1)
Equal Opportunity	267	(2)
Justice, Fairness, and Taxes	269	(1)
Exercises	270	(1)
Suggested Readings	271	(1)
Internet Resources	271	(1)
Endnotes	271	(2)
13 Racism and Affirmative Action	273	(18)
Introduction	273	(2)
Racism and Blacks	275	(5)
Solutions to Racism	280	(7)
Prohibit Discrimination	280	(2)
Affirmative Action and Preferential Treatment	282	(5)
Exercises	287	(2)
Suggested Readings	289	(1)
Endnotes	289	(2)
14 Capital Punishment	291	(10)
Introduction	291	(1)
Social Protection	292	(5)
Deterrence	293	(2)
The Probability of Executing the Innocent	295	(1)
Discrimination Based on Race and Class	296	(1)
Utilitarian Justifications May Legitimize Punishing the Innocent	297	(1)
Desert	297	(1)
Competence: Age, Mental Health, and Intelligence	298	(1)
Exercises	299	(1)
Suggested Readings	299	(1)
Internet Resource	300	(1)
Endnotes	300	(1)
15 War and Peace	301	(24)
Introduction	301	(2)
Peace	303	(5)
Pacifism	303	(1)
Mohandas K. Gandhi	304	(4)
The Just War Tradition	308	(7)
Declaration by Competent Authority	308	(2)
Just Cause, Self-Defense, and Aggression	310	(1)
Proving Strength and Determination	310	(1)
Preemption	311	(1)
Revolution and Civil War	312	(1)
Humanitarian Intervention	313	(1)
Other Conditions of a Just War	314	(1)
Justice in Waging War	315	(2)
Justice in the Aftermath of War	317	(1)
Unconventional Weapons	318	(1)
Deterrence	318	(1)
Torture and Interrogation	319	(3)
Exercises	322	(1)
Suggested Readings	323	(1)
Endnotes	324	(1)
16 Ethics and the Environment	325	(23)
Introduction	325	(1)
Environmental Threats	326	(8)
The Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming	326	(2)
Ozone Depletion	328	(1)
Air Pollution	329	(1)
Water Pollution	329	(1)
Energy Consumption	329	(1)
Deforestation and Species Loss	330	(1)
Wilderness Preservation	331	(1)
Human Population Growth	332	(2)
International Declarations and Agreements on the Environment	334	(2)
1972 Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment	334	(1)
The 1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development	335	(1)
Creating a Sustainable Society	336	(3)
Opposition to Sustainahility	337	(1)
Applying Moral Theories	338	(1)
Present Versus Future People	339	(1)
Environmental Racism and Justice	339	(2)
Life-Centered Versus Human-Centered Environmental Ethics	341	(3)
Exercises	344	(1)
Suggested Readings	345	(1)
Internet Resources	346	(1)
Endnotes	346	(2)
APPENDIX A: MORAL DESICISON MAKING	348	(2)
APPENDIX B: THINKING ABOUT CASE STUDIES	350	(2)
CASE STUDIES	352	(25)
McWane, Inc.	352	(3)
Death and Tobacco	355	(4)
Allegations of Unethical Pharmaceutical Studies in Nigeria	359	(1)
Terrorism, Interrogation, and Torture	360	(4)
Insurance Fraud	364	(2)
Police Brutality in New York City	366	(1)
Prosecutor Withholds Evidence from the Defense	367	(1)
Florida Ban on Gay Adoptions	367	(1)
Tainted Evidence?	368	(3)
The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment	371	(1)
Embryonic Stem Cell Research	372	(1)
Nancy Cruzan	373	(2)
The Philadelphia Head-Injury Studies on Primates	375	(2)
INDEX	377