Ethical Theory: Classical and Contemporary Readings / Edition 3

by Louis P. Pojman

Overview

This is one the most up-to-date and comprehensive anthologies in ethical theory, containing both classical and contemporary readings. The articles present students with a coherent and understandable framework; the presentation of each problem progresses from the classical to the contemporary, usually treating it in a dialectic (pro and con) form. It contains 72 cutting-edge articles in the field on such topics as evolutionary ethics. The anthology is structured around 13 crucial issues in ethical theory, including: the nature of ethics; ethical relativism; ethical egoism and evolutionary ethics; value, utilitarianism; deontological ethics; virtue ethics; the fact/value problem; moral realism and skepticism; morality and self-interest; ethics and religion; justice; and rights.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780534529611
Publisher:	Wadsworth
Publication date:	10/28/1997
Series:	Philosophy Ser.
Edition description:	Older Edition
Pages:	700
Product dimensions:	7.87(w) x 9.84(h) x (d)

About the Author

Louis P. Pojman (1935-2005) was Professor of Philosophy, Emeritus, at the United States Military Academy and a Life Member of Clare Hall, Cambridge University. He received an M.A. and Ph.D. from Union Theological Seminary/Columbia University. He was a Fulbright Fellow at the University of Copenhagen and a Rockefeller Fellow at Hamburg University. He received his D.Phil. in Philosophy from Oxford University in 1997.His first position was at the University of Notre Dame, after which he taught at the University of Texas at Dallas. Later, at the University of Mississippi, he served for three years as Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion. In 1995, he became Professor of Philosophy at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He most recently was Visiting Professor at Brigham Young University in Utah and Visiting Fellow at Clare Hall, Oxford University. Pojman won several research and teaching awards, including the Burlington Northern Award for Outstanding Teaching and Scholarship (1988) and the Outstanding Scholar/Teacher in the Humanities at the University of Mississippi (1994). He wrote in the areas of philosophy of religion, epistemology, ethics, and political philosophy and authored or edited more than 30 books and 100 articles. Louis Pojman passed away in 2005.

Table of Contents

1. What is Ethics? 2. Ethical Relativism versus Ethical Objectivism. 3. Ethical Egotism, Altruism, and Evolution. 4. Value. 5. Utilitarianism. 6. Kantian and Deontological Systems. 7. Virtue-Based Ethical Systems. 8. The Fact/Value Problem: Metaethics in the Twentieth Century. 9. Moral Realism and the Challenge of Skepticism. 10. Morality and Self-Interest. 11. Religion and Ethics. 12. Justice. 13. Rights. A Glossary of Ethical Terms.

Editorial Reviews

This introductory textbook describes the historical schools, major problems, and current trends concerning the study of ethics. Selections from key philosophers cover topics like relativism and objectivism, egoism, value, utilitarianism, deontology, virtue, metaethics, skepticism, religion, sociobiology, feminism, and determinism. Representing the span of the Western canon, selections are drawn from the ancient, modern, and post-modern periods. A glossary is included. No index. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

"It is the best anthology on ethical theory, as a matter of fact, it is the best by far."

"This is a great text, one I look forward to using for some time."

"His introductory analyses show a very strong grasp of the subject of each chapter. His ways of making distinctions and putting them into charts or tables is very helpful to teacher and students alike."

From the Publisher