Ethics: A Very Short Introduction

by Simon Blackburn

Overview

bVery Short Introductionsb: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring /b

Our self-image as moral, well-behaved creatures is dogged by scepticism, relativism, hypocrisy, and nihilism, and by the fear that in a Godless world science has unmasked us as creatures fated by our genes to be selfish and tribalistic, or competitive and aggressive. Here, Simon Blackburn tackles the major moral questions surrounding birth, death, happiness, desire, and freedom, showing us how we should think about the meaning of life, and why we should mistrust the soundbite-sized absolutes that often dominate moral debates.

This second edition of the Very Short Introduction on Ethics has revised and updated aspects of the original to reflect changing times and mores. It highlights the importance of an understanding of approaches to ethics and its foundations, confronted as we are with a fluid and uncertain world of eroding trust, swirling conspiracy theories, and a dismaying loss of respect in public discourse.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780192804426
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	09/14/2009
Series:	Very Short Introductions
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	152
Product dimensions:	4.30(w) x 6.80(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	1150L (what's this?)

About the Author

Simon Blackburn, Professor Emeritus, Cambridge University

Simon Blackburn was Bertrand Russell Professor of Philosophy at the University of Cambridge and remains a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. He is a Visiting Professor at the New College of the Humanities. His books include Think (OUP, 1999); Practical Tortoise Raising (OUP, 210); Truth, (Profile Books, 2017); and On Truth (OUP, 2018).

Table of Contents

Preface
List of Illustrations
Introduction
Seven Threats to Ethics
1. The Threat of the Death of God
2. The Threat of Relativism
3. The Threat of Egoism
4. The Threat from Evolutionary Theory
5. The Threat of Determinism and Futility
6. The Threat of Unreasonable Demands
7. The Threat of False Consciousness
Some Ethical Ideas
8. Birth
9. Death
10. Desire and the Meaning of Life
11. Pleasure
12. The Greatest Happiness of the Greatest Number
13. Freedom from the Bad
14. Freedom and Paternalism
15. Rights and Natural Rights
Foundations?
16. Reasons and Foundations
17. Living Well and Doing Good
18. The Categorical Imperative
19. Contracts and Discourse
20. The Common Point of View
21. Confidence Restored
Further Reading
Index