Understand Ethics: Teach Yourself

Is this the right book for me?

An accessible introduction to ethics
Whether you’re a student studying philosophy at any level, or simply want to gain a deeper understanding of this fascinating subject, Understand Ethics is an accessible introduction to all the key theories and thinkers. Fully updated, this latest edition includes contemporary examples and discussion of current debates including terrorism, genetics and the media, helping you to grasp how ethics applies to life today.


Understand Ethics includes:

Chapter 1: Introduction: the art of living
What makes something moral?
What is the point of ethics?
What price integrity?
Rights and responsibilities
The art of living

Chapter 2: Free to choose?
What kind of freedom?
Determinism
Reductionism
Freedom and the State
How much freedom does morality need?

Chapter 3: What do we mean?
Three kinds of language
Defining key terms
Some theories
‘Is’ and ‘ought’

Chapter 4: Is it natural?
Does it have a ‘final cause’?
Some features of ‘natural law’
How do you decide what is ‘natural’?
Applying ‘natural law’
Are we naturally good or bad?
Evolution, change and the natural law

Chapter 5: Looking for results
Egoistic hedonism
Utilitarianism
Forms of utilitarianism
General criticisms of utilitarianism

Chapter 6: The experience of moral choice
Conscience
The categorical imperative
The creative response
Determined and yet free?
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Chapter 7: Personal development and virtue
Altruism?
Nietzsche
Virtue ethics
Existentialism
Humankind, Marx and Freud

Chapter 8: Law and order
Society and moral choice
In whose interest?
Is equality possible?
A social contract
Crime and punishment
Capital punishment
In self-defence?
Civil disobedience
If Nietzsche were a civil servant…

Chapter 9: Religion and moral values
How are religion and morality related?
The basis for religious ethics
Religious values and society
Should religious freedom be restricted?

Chapter 10: Scepticism and relativism
Philosophers or politicians?
Situation ethics
Relativism and moral absolutes

Chapter 11: Applied ethics
The natural environment
Animal rights
International issues
War and peace
Gender issues
Sexual issues
Some issues in medical ethics
The beginning and end of life
Business ethics
Media issues



Learn effortlessly with a new easy-to-read page design and interactive features:

Not got much time?
One, five and ten-minute introductions to key principles to get you started.

Author insights
Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author’s many years of experience.

Test yourself
Tests in the book and online to keep track of your progress.

Extend your knowledge
Extra online articles to give you a richer understanding of the subject.

Five things to remember
Quick refreshers to help you remember the key facts.

Try this
Innovative exercises illustrate what you’ve learnt and how to use it.