Ethics Theory and Contemporary Issues

by MacKinnon, Barbara

• ISBN13: 9780495007166
• ISBN10: 0495007161
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-02-22
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

Through a combination of the illuminating overviews composed by the editor and readings drawn from important traditional and contemporary sources, MacKinnon's acclaimed ETHICS provides students with a superbly balanced introduction to both ethical theory and the moral debates surrounding a variety of contemporary issues. Designed to offer instructors maximum flexibility and revised with the intention of providing reader friendly, but not superficial, access to many complex concepts, ETHICS is a comprehensive and clear-sighted introduction to both the general and specific arenas in which ethical deliberation is obliged to dwell.

Table of Contents

Preface	xv
History of Ethics Time Line	xviii
PART ONE ETHICAL THEORY	1	(132)
Ethics and Ethical Reasoning	2	(16)
Why Study Ethics?	2	(1)
What Is Ethics?	2	(2)
Ethics and Religion	4	(1)
Ethical and Other Types of Evaluation	5
Ethical Terms	6
Ethics and Reasons	4	(3)
Ethical Reasoning and Arguments	7	(2)
The Structure of Ethical Reasoning and Argument	7	(1)
Evaluating and Making Good Arguments	8	(1)
Ethical Theory	9	(1)
Types of Ethical Theory	10	(1)
Can Ethics Be Taught?	11	(1)
Reading
Plato Euthyphro	12	(4)
Review Exercises	16	(1)
Selected Bibliography	16	(2)
Ethical Relativism	18	(12)
What Is Ethical Relativism?	18	(1)
Two Forms of Ethical Relativism	19	(1)
Reasons Supporting Ethical Relativism	19	(1)
The Diversity of Moral Views	19	(1)
Moral Uncertainty	20	(1)
Situational Differences	20	(1)
Are These Reasons Convincing?	20	(2)
The Diversity of Moral Views	20	(1)
Moral Uncertainty	21	(1)
Situational Differences	21	(1)
Further Considerations	22	(1)
Moral Realism	23	(1)
Moral Pluralism	24	(1)
Mary Midgley Trying Out One's New Sword	25	(3)
Review Exercises	28	(1)
Selected Bibliography	28	(2)
Egoism	30	(19)
Psychological Egoism	31	(2)
What is Psychological Egoism?	31	(1)
Is Psychological Egoism True?	32	(1)
Ethical Egoism	33	(1)
What is Ethical Egoism?	33	(1)
Is Ethical Egoism a Good Theory?	33	(1)
The Moral Point of View	34	(1)
Why Be Moral?	35	(2)
Plato The Ring of Gyges	37	(6)
Thomas Hobbes Self Love	43	(5)
Review Exercises	48	(1)
Selected Bibliography	48	(1)
Utilitarianism	49	(23)
Historical Hackground	50	(1)
Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill	50	(1)
The Principle of Utility	50	(3)
A Consequentialist Principle	51	(1)
The Intrinsic Good: Pleasure or Happiness	51	(1)
Calculating the Greatest Amount of Happiness	52	(1)
Quantity and Quality of Pleasure	53	(1)
Evaluating Utilitarianism	54	(1)
Application of the Principle	54	(1)
Utilitarianism and Personal Integrity	55	(1)
Ends and Means	55	(1)
Act and Rule Utilitarianism	55	(1)
``Proof'' of The Theory	56	(1)
Contemporary Versions	57	(3)
Preference Utilitarianism	57	(1)
Cost-Benefit Analysis	58	(2)
Jeremy Bentham An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation (1789)	60	(5)
John Stuart Mill Utilitarianism	65	(5)
Review Exercises	70	(1)
Selected Bibliography	71	(1)
Kant's Moral Theory	72	(23)
Historical Background: Immanuel Kant	73	(1)
What Gives An Act Moral Worth?	73	(2)
What Is the Right Motive?	74	(1)
What is the Right Thing to Do?	74	(1)
The Categorical Imperative	75	(3)
The First Form	75	(1)
The Second Form	76	(2)
Evaluating Kant's Moral Theory	78	(2)
The Nature of Moral Obligation	78	(1)
The Application of the Categorical Imperative	78	(1)
Duty	79	(1)
Moral Equality and Impartiality	79	(1)
Perfect and Imperfect Duties	80	(1)
Variations on Kantian Moral Theory	80	(2)
Reading
Immanuel Kant Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals	82	(11)
Review Exercises	93	(1)
Selected Bibliography	93	(2)
Natural Law and Natural Rights	95	(14)
Natural Law Theory	95	(1)
What Kind of Law Is Natural Law?	95	(1)
Historical Origins: Aristotle	96	(6)
Nature, Human Nature, and the Human Good	96	(2)
Evaluating Natural Law Theory	98	(1)
Natural Rights	99	(1)
Evaluating Natural Rights Theory	100	(2)
Readings
Thomas Aquinas On Natural Law	102	(2)
John Locke Second Treatise of Civil Government	104	(3)
Review Exercises	107	(1)
Selected Bibliography	107	(2)
Virtue Ethics	109	(24)
Virtues and Everyday Life	109	(1)
What Is Virtue?	110	(1)
Masculine and Feminine Virtues	111	(2)
Evaluating Virtue Ethics	113	(2)
Readings
Aristotle The Nicomachean Ethics	115	(6)
Philippa Foot Virtues and Vices	121	(9)
Review Exercises	130	(1)
Selected Bibliography	130	(3)
PART TWO ETHICAL ISSUES	133	(337)
Euthanasia	134	(28)
Brain Death, Coma, and Persistent Vegetative State	135	(1)
Meaning and Types of Euthanasia	136	(8)
Active and Passive Euthanasia	136	(2)
Physician-Assisted Suicide	138	(2)
Pain Medication that Causes Death	140	(1)
Ordinary and Extraordinary Measures	141	(1)
Voluntary and Nonvoluntary Euthanasia	142	(1)
Combining the Types of Euthanasia	143	(1)
Morality and the Law	144	(1)
Making Moral Judgments About Euthanasia	144	(4)
The Moral Significance of Voluntariness	144	(2)
Active Versus Passive Euthanasia	146	(1)
Ordinary Versus Extraordinary Measures	147	(1)
Infant Euthanasia	148	(3)
Readings
J. Gay-Williams The Wrongfulness of Euthanasia	151	(3)
James Rachels Active and Passive Euthanasia	154	(4)
Review Exercises	158	(1)
Discussion Cases	159	(1)
Selected Bibliography	160	(2)
Abortion	162	(35)
Stages of Fetal Development	163	(1)
Methods of Abortion	164	(1)
Abortion and the Law	164	(2)
Abortion: The Moral Question	166	(1)
Arguments that Do Not Depend on the Moral Status of the Fetus	167	(1)
Utilitarian Reasoning	167	(1)
Some Rights Arguments	168	(1)
Arguments that Depend on the Moral Status of the Fetus	168	(7)
Method I	169	(2)
Method II	171	(4)
Readings
Judith Jarvis Thomson A Defense of Abortion	175	(11)
Don Marquis Why Abortion Is Immoral	186	(8)
Review Exercises	194	(1)
Discussion Cases	194	(1)
Selected Bibliography	195	(2)
Sexual Morality	197	(23)
Conceptual Problems: What Is and Is Not Sexual	199	(1)
Relevant Factual Matters	200	(1)
Sexual Morality and Ethical Theories	200	(4)
Consequentialist or Utilitarian Considerations	201	(1)
Nonconsequentialist or Kantian Considerations	202	(1)
Naturalness Considerations	202	(2)
Homosexuality	204	(2)
Readings
Thomas Nagel Sexual Perversion	206	(6)
Richard D. Mohr Prejudice and Homosexuality	212	(6)
Review Exercises	218	(1)
Discussion Cases	218	(1)
Selected Bibliography	218	(2)
Pornography	220	(24)
Liberty-Limiting Principles	221	(5)
The Harm Principle	222	(1)
The Social Harm Principle	223	(1)
The Offense Principle	224	(1)
Legal Paternalism	225	(1)
Legal Moralism	225	(1)
Feminism and Pornography	226	(2)
Readings
John Stuart Mill On Libert	228	(2)
Ann Garry Sex, Lies, and Respect	230	(11)
Review Exercises	241	(1)
Discussion Cases	242	(1)
Selected Bibliography	242	(2)
Equality and Discrimination	244	(26)
Civil Rights Laws: A Brief History	247	(1)
Racism and Sexism	248	(2)
The Principle of Equality	250	(4)
Justice	250	(1)
Social Benefits and Harms	251	(1)
Proof	251	(1)
Real Differences	251	(1)
Relevant Differences	252	(1)
Challenges to the Principle	252	(2)
Affirmative Action and Preferential Treatment	254	(6)
Consequentialist Considerations	255	(2)
Nonconsequentialist Considerations	257	(3)
Readings
Robert K. Fullinwider Affirmative Action and Fairness	260	(4)
Lisa Newton Reverse Discrimination as Unjustified	264	(3)
Review Exercises	267	(1)
Discussion Cases	267	(1)
Selected Bibliography	268	(2)
Economic Justice	270	(30)
Process or End State Distributive Justice	272	(1)
Equal Opportunity	273	(2)
Political and Economic Theories	275	(7)
Libertarianism	275	(1)
Capitalism	276	(1)
Socialism	276	(1)
Modern Liberalism	277	(1)
John Rawls's Theory of Justice	278	(2)
Communitarianism	280	(2)
Readings
John Rawls Justice as Fairness	282	(7)
Robert Nozick Distributive Justice	289	(8)
Review Exercises	297	(1)
Discussion Cases	297	(1)
Selected Bibliography	298	(2)
Legal Punishment	300	(29)
The Nature of Legal Punishment	302	(1)
The Deterrence Argument	303	(1)
Problematic Aspects	303	(1)
The Retributivist Argument	304	(2)
Problematic Aspects	306	(1)
Punishment and Responsibility	306	(2)
The Death Penalty	308	(4)
On Deterrence Grounds	308	(1)
On Retributivist Grounds	309	(1)
Other Concerns	310	(2)
Readings
Hugo Adam Bedau A World Without Punishment	312	(9)
Ernest van den Haag The Ultimate Punishment: A Defense	321	(5)
Review Exercises	326	(1)
Discussion Cases	327	(1)
Selected Bibliography	327	(2)
Environmental Ethics	329	(31)
The Environment	330	(1)
Value	331	(1)
Anthropocentrism	331	(5)
Cost-Benefit Analysis	332	(1)
Human Environmental Impact	333	(3)
Ecocentrism	336	(2)
Deep Ecology	338	(1)
Ecofeminism	339	(1)
Sustainable Development	340	(3)
Readings
William F. Baxter People or Penguins: The Case for Optimal Pollution	343	(5)
Bill Devall and George Sessions Deep Ecology	348	(9)
Review Exercises	357	(1)
Discussion Cases	357	(1)
Selected Bibliography	358	(2)
Animal Rights	360	(27)
Sentience	361	(1)
Animal Rights	362	(2)
Animal Experimentation	364	(3)
Endangered Species	367	(3)
Readings
Peter Singer All Animals Are Equal	370	(8)
Bonnie Steinbock Speciesism and the Idea of Equality	378	(6)
Review Exercises	384	(1)
Discussion Cases	385	(1)
Selected Bibliography	385	(2)
Stem-Cell Research, Cloning, and Genetic Engineering	387	(32)
Stem-Cell Research	387	(2)
Legal and Ethical Issues	388	(1)
Human Cloning	389	(5)
Therapeutic Cloning.	389	(1)
Reproductive Cloning	389	(2)
Ethical Issues	391	(3)
Genetic Engineering	394	(3)
Ethical Issues	395	(2)
Genetically Modified Plants and Animals	397	(2)
Ethical Issues	398	(1)
Genetic Screening	399	(4)
The Value of Privacy	399	(1)
Screening and Conflicts of Interest	400	(3)
Readings
Leon R. Kass The Wisdom of Repugnance	403	(6)
Kerry Lynn Macintosh Illegal Beings: Human Clones and the Law	409	(7)
Review Exercises	416	(1)
Discussion Cases	416	(1)
Selected Bibliography	416	(3)
Violence, Terrorism, and War	419	(25)
Violence	419	(2)
Terrorism	421	(2)
Ethical Issues	422	(1)
Pacifism	423	(1)
Just War Theory	424	(3)
Jus ad Bellum	425	(1)
Jus in Bello	426	(1)
Weapons of Mass Destruction	427	(1)
War Crimes and Universal Human Rights	428	(4)
Readings
Jean Bethke Elshtain What Is a Terrorist?	432	(4)
Michael Walzer The Triumph of just War Theory (and the Dangers of Success)	436	(6)
Review Exercises	442	(1)
Discussion Cases	442	(1)
Selected Bibliography	442	(2)
Global Issues and Globalization	444	(26)
Rich and Poor Nations	445	(5)
Causes and Solutions	446	(2)
Ethical Considerations	448	(2)
Globalization	450	(5)
Values	452	(1)
Free Market Capitalism	452	(1)
Modernization	453	(2)
Readings
Peter Singer Famine, Affluence, and Morality	455	(8)
Herman E. Daly Globalization and Its Discontents	463	(4)
Review Exercises	467	(1)
Discussion Cases	468	(1)
Selected Bibliography	468	(2)
APPENDIX How to Write an Ethics Paper	470	(13)
The Content of the Paper	470	(1)
The Paper's Structure	470	(3)
Format	471	(2)
Grammar, Spelling, and Gender	473	(1)
Types of Ethics Papers	473	(2)
A Historical Approach	474	(1)
A Problem in Ethical Theory	474	(1)
A Contemporary Moral Issue	474	(1)
Is It an Ethics Paper?	475	(1)
Structuring or Analyzing an Ethical Argument	475	(2)
Reasons and Conclusions	475	(1)
Types and Sources of Evidence	476	(1)
Types of Reasons	476	(1)
Top-to-Bottom or Bottom-to-Top Reasoning?	476	(1)
Using Analogies	477	(1)
Sample Ethics Papers	477	(6)
Historical Approach	478	(1)
A Problem in Ethical Theory	479	(2)
A Contemporary Ethical Issue	481	(2)
Index	483