Contemporary Moral Problems

by White,James E.

• ISBN13: 9780495553205
• ISBN10: 0495553204
• Edition: 9th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-01-03
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

Explore today's challenging moral terrain with James White's CONTEMPORARY MORAL PROBLEMS. The ninth edition examines the compelling and contentious debate over society's most pressing ethical controversies. This anthology covers divergent viewpoints on many timely issues and introduces you to the major theories in the history of Western ethics. This balanced collection features carefully chosen readings on classic topics such as abortion, euthanasia, and capital punishment. It also engages students in current debates about global warming, torture, war and terrorism, and same-sex marriage. Fourteen new reading selections in this edition ensure up-to-date coverage of contemporary moral issues. This book's well-crafted introductions to each chapter and reading; emphasis on opposing viewpoints; probing review and discussion questions; and provocative case studies ensure that you will develop a rich understanding of ethical theories and the issues to which they apply. Depend on this accessible, comprehensive anthology to engage you in a lively and informed discussion of contemporary ethics.

Table of Contents

Preface

Ethical Theories

Introduction

Egoism and Moral Scepticism

Religion, Morality, and Conscience

The Natural Law

Morality is Based on Sentiment

Trying Out One+s New Sword

Utilitarianism

The Categorical Imperative

Happiness and Virtue

A Theory of Justice

The Idea of a Female Ethic

Problem Cases

Suggested Readings

Abortion

Introduction

The U.S. Supreme Court: Roe v. Wade (1973)

An Almost Absolute Value in History

A Defense of Abortion

On the Moral and Legal Status of Abortion Sidney

Abortion and the Sexual Agenda

An Argument that Abortion is Wrong

Problem Cases

Suggested Readings

Euthanasia and the Duty to Die

Introduction

Active and Passive Euthanasia

The Intentional Termination of Life

Killing and Letting Die

The Survival Lottery

Is There a Duty to Die? Problem Cases

Suggested Readings

Capital Punishment

Introduction

The U.S. Supreme Court

The Retributive Theory of Punishment

The Ultimate Punishment

Justice, Civilization, and the Death Penalty

What Do Murderers Deserve? Problem Cases

Suggested Readings

Gay Rights and Same-Sex Marriage

Introduction Martha Nussbaum

Is it Wrong to Discriminate on the Basis of Homosexuality?

Who Needs Marriage?

What Marriage is For Problem Cases

Suggested Readings

Drugs and Addiction

Introduction

The Ethics of Addiction

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration: Speaking Out

Against Drug Legalization

Addiction and Drug Policy

The Ethics of Smoking

Problem Cases

Suggested Readings

The Moral Status of Animals

Introduction

Our Duties to Animals

Peter Singer: All Animals Are Equal

The Case for Animal Rights

Difficulties with the Strong Animal Rights Position

Problem Cases

Suggested Readings

Global Warming and Consumption

Introduction

Global Warming Bjorn Lomborg: The Cost of Global Warming

The Environmental Costs of Consumption

Famine, Affluence, and Morality

Problem Cases

Suggested Readings

War and Terrorism

Introduction

Pacifism

The Conduct of Just and Limited War

What is Terrorism?

The Terrorist+s Tacit Message

Questions Regarding a War on Terrorism

The War on Terrorism and the End of Human Rights

Problem Cases

Suggested Readings

Torture

Introduction

Torture David Luban: Torture and the Ticking Bomb

How to Interrogate Terrorists

Problem Cases

Suggested Readings

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