A Concise Introduction to Ethics
by Russ Shafer-Landau
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Book Details
| Print ISBN | 9780190058173 |
| eText ISBN | 9780190058180 |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
| Publishing Year | 2019 |
| Language | English |
| Pages | 240 |
A Concise Introduction to Ethics provides an accessible overview of foundational concepts and major frameworks in moral philosophy. Based on Russ Shafer-Landau's primer The Fundamentals of Ethics, this 240-page textbook presents core philosophical arguments in a compact volume.
The text surveys central areas of ethical inquiry, addressing moral reasoning, skepticism, and value theory alongside normative perspectives such as consequentialism, Kantian ethics, and natural law. It also explores virtue ethics, the ethic of prima facie duties, and feminist approaches.
Designed to accompany the author's anthology The Ethical Life, the textbook concludes each chapter with discussion questions and case studies that offer practice in evaluating practical moral dilemmas.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: What Is Morality?
- • A. Conventional and Critical Morality
- • B. The Branches of Moral Philosophy
- • C. Moral Starting Points
- • D. Morality and Other Normative Systems
- • E. Morality and Religion
- • F. Conclusion
- • Key Terms and Concepts
- • Discussion Questions
- • Cases for Critical Reflection
Chapter 2: Moral Reasoning
- • A. Validity and Soundness
- • B. Necessary and Sufficient Conditions
- • C. Valid Argument Forms
- • D. Fallacies
- • E. Conclusion
- • Key Terms and Concepts
- • Discussion Questions
Chapter 3: Skepticism about Morality
- • A. Egoism
- • B. Relativism
- • C. Error Theory
- • D. Conclusion
- • Key Terms and Concepts
- • Discussion Questions
- • Cases for Critical Reflection
Chapter 4: The Good Life
- • A. Hedonism
- • B. Desire Satisfaction Theory
- • C. Conclusion
- • Key Terms and Concepts
- • Discussion Questions
- • Cases for Critical Reflection
Chapter 5: Natural Law
- • A. The Theory and Its Attractions
- • B. Three Conceptions of Human Nature
- • C. Natural Purposes
- • D. The Doctrine of Double Effect
- • E. Conclusion
- • Key Terms and Concepts
- • Discussion Questions
- • Cases for Critical Reflection
Chapter 6: Consequentialism
- • A. The Nature of Consequentialism
- • B. The Attractions of Utilitarianism
- • C. Some Difficulties for Utilitarianism
- • D. Conclusion
- • Key Terms and Concepts
- • Discussion Questions
- • Cases for Critical Reflection
Chapter 7: Kantian Ethics
- • A. Consistency and Fairness
- • B. The Principle of Universalizability
- • C. Hypothetical and Categorical Imperatives
- • D. Assessing the Principle of Universalizability
- • E. Kant on Absolute Moral Duties
- • F. The Principle of Humanity
- • G. Conclusion
- • Key Terms and Concepts
- • Discussion Questions
- • Cases for Critical Reflection
Chapter 8: Social Contract Theory
- • A. The Background of the Social Contract Theory
- • B. The Prisoner's Dilemma
- • C. Cooperation and the State of Nature
- • D. The Advantages of Contractarianism
- • E. The Role of Consent
- • F. Disagreement among the Contractors
- • G. Conclusion
- • Key Terms and Concepts
- • Discussion Questions
- • Cases for Critical Reflection
Chapter 9: The Ethic of Prima Facie Duties
- • A. Ethical Pluralism and Prima Facie Duties
- • B. The Advantages of Ross's View
- • C. A Problem for Ross's View
- • D. Prima Facie Duties and the Testing of Moral Theories
- • E. Knowing the Right Thing to Do
- • F. Conclusion
- • Key Terms and Concepts
- • Discussion Questions
- • Cases for Critical Reflection
Chapter 10: Virtue Ethics
- • A. The Standard of Right Action
- • B. Moral Complexity
- • C. Moral Understanding
- • D. The Nature of Virtue
- • E. Does Virtue Ethics Offer Adequate Moral Guidance?
- • F. Who Are the Moral Role Models?
- • G. Conflict and Contradiction
- • H. The Priority Problem
- • I. Conclusion
- • Key Terms and Concepts
- • Discussion Questions
- • Cases for Critical Reflection
Chapter 11: Feminist Ethics and the Ethics of Care
- • A. The Elements of Feminist Ethics
- • B. The Ethics of Care
- • C. The Importance of Emotions
- • D. Against Unification
- • E. Partiality and Concreteness
- • F. Downplaying Rights
- • G. Challenges for Feminist Ethics
- • H. Conclusion
- • Key Terms and Concepts
- • Discussion Questions
- • Cases for Critical Reflection
Chapter Appendix: The Truth about Philosophy Majors
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