The Fundamentals of Ethics
by Russ Shafer-Landau
6th Edition
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Book Details
| Print ISBN | 9780197697474 |
| eText ISBN | 9780197697498 |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
| Publishing Year | 2023 |
| Edition | 6th Edition |
| Language | English |
| Pages | 512 |
In an era marked by complex moral dilemmas and shifting social values, understanding the core principles of moral philosophy is more critical than ever. The Fundamentals of Ethics 6th Edition serves as an indispensable guide for navigating these contemporary challenges, offering students a clear and rigorous entry point into ethical inquiry. Russ Shafer-Landau provides an exceptionally lucid introduction to the foundational concepts of right and wrong, helping readers develop the analytical tools necessary to evaluate their own moral commitments. As societies grapple with rapid technological advancements and global crises, this classic text remains a vital resource for fostering ethical literacy.
This comprehensive volume is meticulously organized into three distinct parts, exploring the good life, normative ethics, and the status of morality. Shafer-Landau guides readers through a diverse array of perspectives, ranging from classic theories like utilitarianism and Kantian ethics to often-overlooked topics such as the desire-satisfaction theory of well-being, ethical particularism, and feminist care ethics. The author's balanced approach ensures that each moral framework is presented with its strongest arguments, followed by a fair and rigorous analysis of its potential limitations. By examining the doctrines of double effect and doing and allowing, the text provides a nuanced view of moral agency.
Designed primarily for introductory ethics courses, this textbook is celebrated for its accessible writing style and student-friendly pedagogy. Instructors worldwide adopt The Fundamentals of Ethics 6th Edition because of its ability to explain highly sophisticated arguments without relying on dense, exclusionary jargon. The latest edition features refined explanations, updated examples, and expanded discussions on pressing contemporary issues, ensuring the material remains highly relevant to today's diverse student body. For those seeking a flexible and portable learning format, The Fundamentals of Ethics 6th Edition PDF offers a seamless digital alternative that supports active reading and study on any device.
Table of Contents
Chapter Introduction: The Lay of the Land
- • Skepticism about Ethics
- • Ethical Starting Points
- • Moral Reasoning
- • The Role of Moral Theory
Chapter 1: Hedonism: Its Powerful Appeal
- • Happiness and Intrinsic Value
- • The Attractions of Hedonism
- • Rules of the Good Life and Their Exceptions
Chapter 2: Is Happiness All That Matters?
- • The Paradox of Hedonism
- • Evil Pleasures
- • The Two Worlds
- • False Happiness
- • The Importance of Autonomy
Chapter 3: Getting What You Want
- • A Variety of Good Lives
- • Personal Authority
- • Avoiding Objective Values
- • Motivation
Chapter 4: Problems for the Desire Theory
- • Getting What You Want May Not Be Necessary
- • Getting What You Want May Not Be Sufficient
- • Impoverished Desires
Chapter 5: Morality and Religion
- • Three Assumptions about Morality and Religion
- • God Is the Creator of Morality
- • Religion Is an Essential Source of Moral Guidance
Chapter 6: Natural Law
- • The Theory and Its Attractions
- • Two Conceptions of Human Nature
- • Natural Purposes
Chapter 7: Psychological Egoism
- • Egoism and Altruism
- • The Argument from Our Strongest Desires
- • The Argument from Expected Benefit
Chapter 8: Ethical Egoism
- • Why Be Moral?
- • Two Popular Arguments for Ethical Egoism
- • Three Problems for Ethical Egoism
Chapter 9: Consequentialism: Its Nature and Attractions
- • The Nature of Consequentialism
- • The Attractions of Utilitarianism
- • The Scope of the Moral Community
Chapter 10: Consequentialism: Its Difficulties
- • Measuring Well-Being
- • Utilitarianism Is Very Demanding
- • The Problem of Injustice
- • Rule Consequentialism
Chapter 11: The Kantian Perspective: Fairness and Justice
- • Consistency and Fairness
- • The Principle of Universalizability
- • Morality and Rationality
Chapter 12: The Kantian Perspective: Autonomy and Respect
- • The Principle of Humanity
- • The Importance of Rationality and Autonomy
- • The Good Will and Moral Worth
Chapter 13: The Social Contract Tradition: The Theory and Its Attractions
- • The Lure of Proceduralism
- • The Prisoner's Dilemma
- • Cooperation and the State of Nature
Chapter 14: The Social Contract Tradition: Problems and Prospects
- • Why Be Moral?
- • The Role of Consent
- • The Scope of the Moral Community
Chapter 15: Ethical Pluralism and Absolute Moral Rules
- • The Structure of Moral Theories
- • Is Torture Always Immoral?
- • The Doctrine of Double Effect
Chapter 16: Ethical Pluralism: Prima Facie Duties and Ethical Particularism
- • Ross's Ethic of Prima Facie Duties
- • Knowing the Fundamental Moral Rules
- • Ethical Particularism
Chapter 17: Virtue Ethics
- • The Standard of Right Action
- • Moral Complexity
- • The Nature of Virtue
- • Virtue and the Good Life
Chapter 18: Feminist Ethics
- • The Elements of Feminist Ethics
- • The Ethics of Care
- • Challenges for Feminist Ethics
Chapter 19: Ethical Relativism
- • Two Kinds of Ethical Relativism
- • Some Implications of Ethical Subjectivism and Cultural Relativism
- • Ideal Observers
Chapter 20: Moral Nihilism
- • Error Theory
- • Expressivism
- • The Nature of Moral Judgment
Chapter 21: Ten Arguments against Moral Objectivity
- • Objectivity Requires Absolutism
- • All Truth Is Subjective
- • Moral Disagreement Undermines Moral Objectivity
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- ISBN 9780197697498 - Fundamentals of Ethics 6th - Direct Textbook
- Russ Shafer-Landau, Fundamentals of ethics - PhilPapers
- The Fundamentals of Ethics - Paperback - Russ Shafer-Landau
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- 9780197697498: The Fundamentals of Ethics - BookScouter.com
- The Fundamentals of Ethics | Rent | 9780197697474 - eCampus.com
- The Fundamentals of Ethics (6th Edition) Shafer-Landau PDF - Scribd
- The Fundamentals of Ethics - Paperback - Russ Shafer ...
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- The Fundamentals of Ethics (6th edition)
- The Fundamentals of Ethics | Rent | 9780197697474
- The Ethical Life / The Fundamentals of Ethics