Whatever Happened to Good and Evil?

by Shafer-Landau, Russ

• ISBN13: 9780195168730
• ISBN10: 0195168739
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-10-02
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Since September 11, 2001, many people in the United States have been more inclined to use the language of good and evil, and to be more comfortable with the idea that certain moral standards are objective (true independently of what anyone happens to think of them). Some people, especiallythose who are not religious, are not sure how to substantiate this view. Whatever Happened to Good and Evil? provides a basis for exploring these doubts and ultimately defends the objectivity of ethics. Engaging and accessible, it is the first introduction to meta-ethics written especially forstudents and general readers with no philosophical background. Focusing on the issues at the foundation of morality, it poses such questions as: How can we know what is right and wrong? Does ethical objectivity require God? Why should I be moral? Where do moral standards come from? What is a moralvalue, and how can it exist in a scientific world? Do cultural diversity and persistent moral disagreement support moral skepticism? Writing in a clear and lively style and employing many examples to illustrate theoretical arguments, Russ Shafer-Landau identifies the many weaknesses in contemporary moral skepticism and devotes considerable attention to presenting, and critiquing, the most difficult objections to his view.Also included in the book are a helpful summary of all the major arguments covered, as well as a glossary of key philosophical terms. Whatever Happened to Good and Evil? is ideal for a variety of philosophy courses and compelling reading for anyone interested in ethics.

Table of Contents

Preface,	vii
Acknowledgments,	ix
PART 1: THE STATUS OF MORALITY
1 The Nature of the Problem,	3	(5)
2 The Philosophical Terrain,	8	(7)
PART 2: AGAINST MORAL SKEPTICISM
3 Moral Error,	15	(3)
4 Moral Equivalence,	18	(4)
5 Moral Progress and Moral Comparison,	22	(5)
6 Dogmatism,	27	(3)
7 Tolerance,	30	(4)
8 Arbitrariness,	34	(4)
9 Contradiction and Disagreement,	38	(5)
10 Relativism and Contradiction,	43	(6)
11 Is Moral Skepticism Self Refuting?	49	(8)
PART 3: MORAL OBJECTIVITY DEFENDED
12 How Ethical Objectivistm Solves the Problems of Moral Skepticism,	57	(5)
13 Universality, Objectivity, Absolutism,	62	(5)
14 The (Un)Importance of Moral Disagreement,	67	(8)
15 Does Ethical Objectivity Require God?	75	(10)
16 Where Do Moral Standards Come From?	85	(6)
17 Values in a Scientific World,	91	(11)
18 Moral Knowledge I: Four Skeptical Arguments,	102	(16)
19 Moral Knowledge II: The Regress Argument,	118	(8)
20 Why Be Moral?	126	(9)
Conclusion,	135	(2)
Synopsis of the Major Arguments,	137	(8)
Glossary,	145	(3)
Index,	148