The Moral Life An Introductory Reader in Ethics and Literature

by Pojman, Louis P.

• ISBN13: 9780195128444
• ISBN10: 0195128443
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-08-19
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

The Moral Life brings together an extensive and varied collection ofclassical and contemporary readings on ethical theory and practice. Usingliterary works (33 in all) as touchstones, Pojman enlivens and makes concretethe ethical theory or applied issue being addressed in each chapter. Works byHugo, Melvill, Tolstoy, Camus, LeGuin, and Styron among others, lead studentsinto philosophical concepts and issues such as relativism, utilitarianism,virtue ethics, the meaning of life, freedom, sex, love and marriage, andenvironmental ethics. Once introduced, these ideas and issues are developedfurther through readings by philosophers such as Aristotle, Kant, Sartre,Bernard Williams, and Mary Anne Warren. Pojman has also balanced his selectionof readings so that more weight is given to personal ethics (which is oftenignored or minimized in the study of ethics) that to the more social dimensionof ethics.Pojman's insightful editing provides for a smooth flow of ideas between theliterary and philosophical works. His part and chapter introductions clearly tietogether the wide variety of philosophical and literary selections. In addition,he provides thoughtful study questions at the end of each reading selection.Ideal for introduction to ethics courses, The Moral Life sets before thestudent an engaging entry into personal and social ethics. The literary worksprovide powerful particularities that serve both as reinforcers andcounter-examples to the ethical discussions by the philosophers. Here literatureprovides a complement to, but not a substitute for, philosophicalanalysis.

Table of Contents

The Nature of Moality: Good and Evil

Introduction

What is the Purpose of Morality

The Lord of the Flies: A Moral Allegory

On The Nature and Purpose of Morality: Reflections on William

Golding''s The Lord of the Flies

On the State of Nature

Further Readings

Good and Evil

Introduction

Billy Budd

Why Is There Evil?

Sophie''s Choice

From Cruelty to Goodness

Wickedness

Beyond Good and Evil

On the Origin of Good and Evil

Further Readings

Is Everything Relative?

Introduction

Custom is King

The Case for Moral Relativism

The Case Against Moral Ralativism

Judge Not?

The Enemy of the People

Further Readings

Moral Theories and Moral Character

Introduction

Utilitarianism

Introduction

Seaman Holmes and the Longboat of William Brown

Classical Utilitarianism

A Defense of Utilitarianism

Against Utilitarianism

The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas

Utilitarian Social Engineer and the Savage (from Brave New World)

Further Readings

Deontological Ethics

Introduction

On Duty

The Moral Law

Intuitionism

The Golden Rule

A Critique of the Golden Rule

A Horseman in the Sky

The Evil of Lying

Moral Luck

Further Readings

Virtue Ethics

Introduction

The Bishop and the Candlesticks

Virtue Ethics

Virtue and the Moral Life

The Great Stone Face

A Critique of Virtue-Based Ethical Systems

The Conscience of Huckelberry Finn

Further Readings

Virtues and Vices

Introduction

Sermon on the Mount and the Good Samaritan

How Much Land Does a Man Need? The Vice of Greed

Jealously, Malice and Ingratitude

Moral Cowardice

Three Days to See: Gratitude

Courage and Endurance

The Story of David and Bathseba: Lust

Where Love is, There is God

Reflectings on Suffering

The Volunteer at Auschwitz: Altruism

Further Readings

Moral Issues

Introduction

Ethics and Egoism: Why Should I Be Moral?

Introduction

The Ring of Gyges

In Defense of Ethical Egoism

Egoism, Self-Interest and Altruism

Further Readings

Does Life Have Meaning?

Introduction

Epicurus: Hedonism

Epictetus and Others: The Stoic Catechism: Moral Duty Alone Gives Life Meaning

Life is Absurd

Religion Gives Meaning to Life

Reflections on Auschwitz: The Human Search for Meaning

Siddhartha Guatama, the Buddha: The Four Noble Truths

The Experience Machine

Further Readings

Freedom, Autonomy, and Self-Respect

Introduction

I Have a Dream

An Experiment in Autonomy

Existentialism is a Humanism

Servility and Self-Respect

Further Readings

Applied Ethics

Introduction

Sex, Love and Marriage

Introduction

Pansexuality

On Sexuality

The Vatican Declaration on Sexual Ethics

Sexual Intercourse Between Consenting Adults Is Always

Permissible

Sexual Intercourse Should Be Confined to Marriage

Is Homosexuality Unnatural?

Monogamy: A Critique

Marriage, Love and Procreation: A Critique of McMurty

What''s Wrong With Adultery?Hugh La Follette: Licensing Parents

Further Readings

Is Abortion Really Permissible?

Introduction

Abortion Is Not Morally Permissible

Abortion Is Morally Permissible

The Moderate Position: Beyond the Personhood Argument

Further Readings

Substance Abuse: Drugs and Alcohol

Introduction

On Liberty

Drugs Should Be Legalized

William Be

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