Ethics: The Key Thinkers

Description

Ethics: The Key Thinkers introduces the individuals who have wrestled with core moral questions and shaped how we understand ethics today, from what constitutes a good life to arguments about what is right and wrong. Chapters are organised chronologically and cover figures from a wide range of traditions in ancient, modern and contemporary philosophy, explaining exactly how a particular individual has changed the development of ethical theory as a whole. Alongside chapters on Plato, Aristotle, Marx and Nietzsche, this fully updated 2nd edition now provides: For anyone looking to better understand the ideas, people and debates behind one of philosophy’s most important subjects, Ethics: The Key Thinkers is the ideal starting point. Cover Halftitle page Series page Title page Copyright page Contents Notes on Contributors Acknowledgements Introduction Notes References 1 Plato Tom Angier Notes References Recommended reading 2 Aristotle Sophie Grace Chappell Notes References Recommended reading 3 The Stoics Jacob Klein Introduction Foundations and influences Nature Ethical progress Virtue and indifferents The legacy of Stoic ethics Notes Recommended reading 4 Aquinas Vivian Boland O. P. Eudaimonia – beatitudo The human act Principles of human action Passion Disposition – virtue Law Grace Conclusion Notes References 5 Hume Peter Millican Hume’s utilitarian virtue ethics The language of morals The corruptions of religion A naturalistic account of morality The genealogy of morals Reason, passion and systematization Notes References Recommended reading 6 Kant Ralph Walker Notes References Recommended reading 7 Hegel Kenneth Westphal Notes References Recommended reading 8 Marx Sean Sayers The historical approach The concept of progress Happiness and the human good Human nature as historical Justice and right Marx on justice Equality Problems of relativism The right and the good Notes References Recommended reading 9 Mill Krister Bykvist First stop: Statement of the utilitarian principle Second stop: The distinction between higher and lower pleasures Third stop: The ‘proof ’ of utilitarianism Fourth stop: The utilitarian duty Fifth stop: Utilitarianism, justice and liberty Conclusion References Recommended reading 10 Nietzsche Ken Gemes and Christoph Schuringa Introduction Immoralism and the scope problem The Christian morality system The first revaluation: The slave revolt Genealogy and critique The second revaluation: The philosophy of the future Notes References Recommended reading 11 MacIntyre David Solomon Notes References Recommended reading 12 Chinese Ethics Alba Cercas Curry Introduction The concept and import of human nature An odd couple: Mencius and Zhuangzi Conclusion: Lessons from Mencius and Zhuangzi Notes References and Further Reading 13 Indian Ethics Christopher Bartley Hindus Caste Dharma Renunciation (sam·nyāsa) of the world Buddhism Caste again Notes References and Further Reading 14 African Ethics Thaddeus Metz Introduction Good character Right action Conclusion Notes References and Further Reading Index