Ethics A Pluralistic Approach to Moral Theory

by Hinman, Lawrence M.

• ISBN13: 9780155062948
• ISBN10: 0155062948
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-11-25
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

ETHICS: A PLURALISTIC APPROACH TO MORAL THEORY provides a comprehensive yet clear introduction to the main traditions in ethical thought, including virtue ethics, utilitarianism, and deontology. Additionally, the book presents a conceptual framework of ethical pluralism to help students understand the relationship among various theories. Hinman, one of the most respected and accomplished professionals in ethics and philosophy education today, presents a text that gives students plentiful opportunities to explore ethical theory and their own responses to them, using fascinating features such as the "Ethical Inventory" sections that appear at the beginning and the end of the text. End-of-chapter discussion questions, interviews with contemporary advocates of major ethical theories, and the use of current issues and movies help students retain what they've learn and truly comprehend the subject matter.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
The Moral Point of View	1	(26)
Why Study Ethics?	1	(5)
An Ethical Inventory: Discovering Your Own Moral Beliefs	6	(7)
The Moral Point of View	13	(4)
The Point of Ethical Reflection	17	(4)
What to Expect from a Moral Theory	21	(2)
Ethics and Moral Health	23	(1)
Discussion Questions	24	(1)
Bibliographical Essay	25	(2)
Understanding the Diversity of Moral Beliefs: Relativism, Absolutism, and Pluralism	27	(38)
Two Levels of Moral Conflict	29	(4)
Ethical Relativism	33	(20)
Ethical Absolutism	53	(1)
Ethical Pluralism	54	(4)
Conclusion	58	(1)
Discussion Questions	59	(2)
Bibliographic Essay	61	(4)
The Ethics of Divine Commands: Religious Moralities	65	(39)
The Diversity of Religious Traditions	66	(17)
Religious Belief and Moral Rules	83	(9)
Saints and Moral Exemplars	92	(1)
The Role of Religion in the Moral Life	93	(4)
Religious Belief: Diversity and Dialogue	97	(1)
Discussion Questions	98	(2)
Bibliographical Essay	100	(4)
The Ethics of Selfishness: Egoism	104	(31)
Psychological Egoism	105	(9)
Determinism and Freedom	114	(4)
Ethical Egoism	118	(11)
The Truth in Ethical Egoism	129	(1)
Discussion Questions	130	(1)
Bibliographical Essay	131	(4)
The Ethics of Consequences: Utilitarianism	135	(40)
Defining Utility	137	(3)
Applying the Measure	140	(2)
How Much Utility Is Enough?	142	(1)
Consequences of What?	143	(14)
Talking about Ethics
A Conversation with Peter Railton about Utilitarianism	144	(13)
Consequences for Whom?	157	(1)
Race, Ethnicity, and Utilitarian Theory	158	(3)
Issues in Utilitarianism	161	(7)
Living the Utilitarian Life	168	(1)
Discussion Questions	169	(2)
Bibliographical Essay	171	(4)
The Ethics of Duty: Immanuel Kant	175	(29)
The Ethics of Duty	176	(5)
Universalizability and the Categorical Imperative	181	(7)
Respect and Using People	188	(9)
Talking about Ethics
A Conversation with Thomas Hill Jr. about Kantian Ethics	189	(8)
The Kantian Heritage	197	(2)
Discussion Questions	199	(2)
Bibliographical Essay	201	(3)
The Ethics of Rights: Contemporary Theories	204	(38)
Rights: Some Initial Distinctions	205	(4)
The Justification of Natural Rights	209	(10)
Moral Rights	219	(3)
What Rights Do We Have?	222	(9)
Talking about Ethics
A Conversation with Joel Feinberg about Human Rights	223	(8)
The Limits of Rights Talk	231	(4)
The Role of Rights in the Moral Life	235	(1)
Discussion Questions	236	(2)
Bibliographical Essay	238	(4)
The Ethics of Justice: From Plato to Rawls	242	(26)
Plato's Account of Justice	243	(2)
Distributive Justice: John Rawls	245	(4)
Distributive Justice: Non-Rawlsian Theories	249	(5)
Criminal Justice	254	(3)
Global Justice	257	(7)
Conclusion	264	(1)
Discussion Questions	264	(1)
Bibliographic Essay	265	(3)
The Ethics of Character: Aristotle and Our Contemporaries	268	(38)
From Ethics of Action to the Ethics of Character	269	(3)
Character and Human Flourishing	272	(5)
The Structure of Virtues	277	(4)
Courage	281	(5)
Compassion	286	(5)
Self-Love	291	(5)
Practical Wisdom, Ethical Pluralism, and the Good Life	296	(3)
Conclusion: The Ethics of Character and the Ethics of Action	299	(1)
Discussion Questions	300	(2)
Bibliographical Essay	302	(4)
The Ethics of Diversity: Gender	306	(31)
Rethinking the History of Ethics	307	(3)
New Moral Concepts: The Ethics of Care	310	(15)
Talking about Ethics
A Conversation with Carol Gilligan about Voice and Ethical Theory	320	(5)
Feminist Moral Theory: Emerging Moral Issues	325	(8)
Conclusion	333	(1)
Discussion Questions	333	(1)
Bibliographical Essay	334	(3)
The Ethics of Diversity: Race, Ethnicity, and Multiculturalism	337	(33)
The Identity Argument	339	(12)
Minority Rights	351	(7)
Living with Moral Diversity: Ethical Pluralism and the Virtues of Living in a Multicultural World	358	(7)
Living Morally	365	(1)
Discussion Questions	365	(2)
Bibliographical Essay	367	(3)
Conclusion: Toward a Global Ethic of Peace	370	(9)
Ethical Inventory: Assessing Changes in Your Moral Beliefs	375	(4)
Glossary	379	(5)
Photo Credits	384	(1)
Index	385