Philosophy: Ethics

Link leads to ebook version available with Butler University credentials.

"In this volume, some of today's most distinguished philosophers survey the whole field of ethics, from its origins, through the great ethical traditions, to theories of how we ought to live, arguments about specific ethical issues, and the nature of ethics itself. The book can be read straight through from beginning to end; yet the inclusion of a multi-layered index, coupled with a descriptive outline of contents and bibliographies of relevant literature, means that the volume also serves as a work of reference, both for those coming afresh to the study of ethics and for readers already familiar with the subject."

"The focus of the book is the application of ethics to difficult and controversial social questions: equality and discrimination by race, sex, ability, or species; abortion, euthanasia, and embryo experimentation; the moral status of animals; political violence and civil disobedience; overseas aid and the obligation to assist others; responsibility for the environment; the treatment of refugees. Singer explains and assesses relevant arguments in a perspicuous, non-doctrinaire way. He structures the book to show how contemporary controversies often have deep philosophical roots; and he presents an ethical theory of his own that can be applied consistently and convincingly to all the practical cases."

"The Oxford Handbook of Ethical Theory is a reference work in ethical theory, consisting of articles by leading moral philosophers. Ethical theories have always been of central importance to philosophy, and remain so—ethical theory is one of the most active areas of philosophical research and teaching today. Courses in ethics are taught in colleges and universities at all levels, and ethical theory is the organizing principle for all of them. The book is divided into two parts, mirroring the field. The first part treats meta-ethical theory, which deals with theoretical questions about morality and moral judgment, including questions about moral language, the epistemology of moral belief, the truth aptness of moral claims, and so forth. The second part addresses normative theory, which deals with general moral issues, including the plausibility of various ethical theories and abstract principles of behavior. Examples of such theories are consequentialism and virtue theory."

Link leads to ebook version available with Butler University credentials.

"The Routledge Companion to Ethics is an outstanding survey of the whole field of ethics by a distinguished international team of contributors. Over 60 chapters are divided into six clear sections: the history of ethics, meta-ethics, perspectives from outside ethics, ethical perspectives, morality, debates in ethics."

Link leads to ebook version available with Butler University credentials.

Coverage of ethical theory as pursued among English-speaking philosophers.

"Much of what we take for granted in politics, ethics, philosophy and sociology is itself the product of a complex interplay between theology and society. In this unique volume over 250 entries offer a unique synthesis of Judaeo-Christian approaches to social and political issues of wide concern as well as analysing theological and secular positions on matters of religious practice and belief."

Link leads to ebook version available with Butler University credentials.

"Philosophical aspects of animal rights and welfare find an important place in this dictionary alongside the sociology of human treatment of and relationships to animals, political and legal measures on behalf of animals, religious perspectives on animals and their welfare, and the history and present state of animal rights and protection movements."

Link leads to ebook version available with Butler University credentials.

"This is the first encyclopedia that critically surveys the ethics of warmaking from a variety of perspectives. Noted experts raise basic questions about what is just in war, describe the views of historic and contemporary thinkers on ethical matters, survey practices at different periods, and discuss key issues. The over 250 entries arranged in alphabetical order cover efforts to curb the havoc of war from medieval to modern times, from accidental war to Zagreb Resolution, different religious perspectives, genocide, UN peacekeeping, and much more. Sources for further reading accompany the entries, and internal cross-references and an index make this major reference easily accessible for students and teachers in military, peace, and world affairs studies."

"A Companion to Genethics is the first substantial study of the multifaceted dimensions of the genetic revolution and its philosophical, ethical, social and political significance. It brings together the best and most influential writing about the ethics of genetics; includes 33 newly-commissioned essays, all written by prominent figures in the field; and shows how there is scarcely a part of our lives left unaffected by the impact of the new genetics."

"These volumes present informative articles on the moral and ethical dimensions of modern medicine, science, and technology."