Ethics in a Nutshell: The Philosopher's Approach to Morality in 100 Pages - Couverture souple

Deaton, Matt

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 0989254240 ISBN 13 : 9780989254243

Editeur : Notaed Press, 2017

Synopsis

*Visit YouTube.com/MattDeatonPhD for fun, concise lectures on each chapter – here's chapter 1: YouTube.com/watch?v=_rK8CndDYgA I've been teaching philosophical ethics for almost two decades (University of Tennessee, University of Texas at Tyler, Carson-Newman University, Pellissippi State Community College), and there's no reason it can't be accessible and fun. Here are a few of the Ethics Intro-style questions Ethics in a Nutshell answers quickly and in everyday language.

How do moral arguments by analogy work? By comparing two relevantly similar cases and applying similar moral logic to both. For example, “Hey, case A is about personal freedom, and so is case B. So let’s treat case B the same way we treat case A." Moral philosopher Peter Singer offers a famous argument by analogy about a drowning child and giving to charity we cover in chapter 7, as well as another about a famous violinist and abortion by Judith Jarvis Thomson.

Can you simplify the four dominant ethical theories? Of course. Utilitarianism mandates that we maximize net pleasure (for everyone impacted by a decision, not just ourselves – sorry, it’s not selfish hedonism). Kantianism: only do stuff you could rationally endorse everyone else doing, and treat persons with respect, never as mere tools. Care Ethics: prioritize the interests of loved ones. Virtue Ethics: practice the virtues such as bravery and patience, and avoid the vices such as gluttony and laziness.

Doesn’t the law tell us what our ethics should be? Please no. Consider laws legitimizing the sale of human beings or forbidding women from voting. Even when you could legally buy people, this didn’t make the practice moral. Even when women were legally banned from voting, this didn’t make the practice immoral. Good law tracks morality, but doesn't determine or guarantee it.

There’s much more, but that’s enough for now. Don’t miss the lecture videos on every chapter at YouTube.com/MattDeatonPhD (bottom left, first playlist), the teaching resources at EthicsinaNutshell.org or my real passion EthicsBowl.org (huge Ethics Bowl fan).

BONUS covered in chapter 1, Ethics, Religion and Public Discourse: Can philosophical ethics and religion peacefully coexist? Yes! Surely a creator would want us to use these big brains to think through all sorts of questions, including questions about what we morally ought to do. However, I present ethics as a supplement, not a replacement for whatever approach you currently take to moral questions – feel free to incorporate only what makes sense. But do consider using "public" reasons when discussing issues with political import, since it would be disrespectful to force something on nonbelievers that couldn't be justified using reasons anyone should be able to appreciate, regardless of their faith commitments or lack thereof.

A propos du livre

À propos de l?auteur

Ethics professor and ethics bowl enthusiast, enjoy all of Dr. Deaton's titles on audiobook and connect at MattDeaton.com.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Notaed Press
• Date d'édition: 2017
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0989254240
• ISBN 13: 9780989254243
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 126
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: non disponible