This Is Ethical Theory

by Narveson, Jan

• ISBN13: 9780812696462
• ISBN10: 0812696468
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-01-13
• Publisher: Open Court

Summary

Ethical questions lie at the very heart of all philosophy, and no one is better equipped to untangle the many facets of ethical theory than respected thinker and professor Jan Narveson. Drawing from theoretical notions as well as everyday applications, Narveson simplifies these nuanced ideas for any beginning ethicist. Discussing theoretical elements ranging from intuitionism to naturalism, emotivism to metaethics, Narveson’s approach to this complex topic is one that any reader will find accessible.

Author Biography

Jan Narveson is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, and author of many writings, including You and the State (2008), Respecting Persons in Theory and Practice (2002), Moral Matters (1993, 1999), The Libertarian Idea (1989), sad Morality and Utility (1967).

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Introduction: Ethical Theorizing	p. 1
Metaethics	p. 17
What Is Metaethics?	p. 19
Metaethicai Intuitionism	p. 32
Other Intuitionisms	p. 51
Emotivism and Prescriptivism	p. 62
Reviving Naturalism	p. 91
Morals	p. 111
Normative Morals: A Review of the Popular Theories	p. 135
Introduction	p. 137
Moral Relativism, Again	p. 138
Egoism	p. 143
Virtue	p. 148
Religious Ethics	p. 151
Conscience	p. 156
Convention	p. 158
Legalism: Law and Morals	p. 160
The "Natural" Law	p. 163
Elitisms	p. 164
Innate Moral Reason	p. 166
Kant's Categorical Imperative	p. 167
Bureaucratic Ethics: Rigorism	p. 170
Particularism, Again	p. 172
Sentiment	p. 174
Utilitarianism	p. 175
'Consequentialism'/'Nonconsequentialism'—A Note on a Bogus Distinction	p. 183
Rawls	p. 185
Normative Morality: A Theory	p. 195
Introduction: The Defining Features	p. 197
The "Social Contract" Approach to Moral Theory	p. 200
Prisoner's Dilemma	p. 204
The Assurance Problem	p. 206
Morality's Contribution to a Solution	p. 206
Rational Morality as the Best Mutual Agreement	p. 208
Nielsen's Critique: Why Should I Be Moral?	p. 210
Alan Gewirth's Argument: Does It Avoid the Social Contract?	p. 211
Critique of the Argument	p. 213
The Hobbesian Premise	p. 215
Unpacking the Metaphor of "Signing Up"	p. 216
Negative versus Positive Rights and Duties	p. 217
Counting the Cost	p. 219
The Hobbesian "Law of Nature"	p. 220
What about the Terrorists?	p. 221
Is Morality Rational? The Score Card	p. 222
Morality: The Carrot and the Stick	p. 225
Mutual Aid	p. 226
Charity and the "Social Contract"	p. 228
Moral Complexity	p. 229
Equality and Egalitarianism	p. 230
Arguments for Equality	p. 233
The Two-Variables Fallacy	p. 235
Morals and Politics	p. 236
Virtue, Again	p. 236
Virtues and Rules	p. 239
Fuzzy Edges and Approximate Principles: Rules and the Real World	p. 240
Moral Luck	p. 241
The "Existential" Factor	p. 242
Personal Concerns versus Moral Requirements	p. 243
Unchosen Personal Obligations	p. 244
Happiness, Living Well, and Doing Well	p. 247
Introduction	p. 249
Human Nature	p. 250
"Realizing" the Self	p. 251
Desire	p. 252
Health as a Model	p. 254
Virtues—One Last Time	p. 255
Accomplishment	p. 257
Meaning	p. 258
A Note on the Religious Life	p. 263
Hedonism	p. 264
Ideals	p. 267
Happiness	p. 268
Challenges	p. 270
A Final Word	p. 271
General Bibliography	p. 273
Index	p. 279
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