Synopses & Reviews
Explore today's challenging moral terrain with James White's CONTEMPORARY MORAL PROBLEMS. The ninth edition examines the compelling and contentious debate over society's most pressing ethical controversies. This anthology covers divergent viewpoints on many timely issues and introduces you to the major theories in the history of Western ethics. This balanced collection features carefully chosen readings on classic topics such as abortion, euthanasia, and capital punishment. It also engages students in current debates about global warming, torture, war and terrorism, and same-sex marriage. Fourteen new reading selections in this edition ensure up-to-date coverage of contemporary moral issues. This book's well-crafted introductions to each chapter and reading; emphasis on opposing viewpoints; probing review and discussion questions; and provocative case studies ensure that you will develop a rich understanding of ethical theories and the issues to which they apply. Depend on this accessible, comprehensive anthology to engage you in a lively and informed discussion of contemporary ethics.
Synopsis
This classic topically organized anthology--replete with problem cases, illuminating introductory essays, and end of-chapter study questions--engages students in a variety of contemporary moral debates. Combining divergent viewpoints on a number of timely issues and an introduction to the major currents of thought in the history of Western ethics, White's CONTEMPORARY MORAL PROBLEMS, Eighth Edition provides students with a proven roadmap through the compelling and contentious arena of today's most pressing moral problems.
About the Author
James E. White received a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado and is retired after teaching at Saint Cloud State University in Minnesota.
Table of Contents
1. Ethical Theories. Introduction. James Rachels: Egoism and Moral Scepticism. John Arthur: Religion, Morality and Conscience. St. Thomas Aquinas: The Natural Law. David Hume: Morality Is Based On Sentiment. William H. Shaw: Relativism And Objectivity In Ethics. John Stuart Mill: Utilitarianism. Immanuel Kant: The Categorical Imperative. Aristotle: Happiness and Virtue. Joel Feinberg: The Nature and Value of Rights. John Rawls: A Theory of Justice. Jean Grimshaw: The Idea of a Female Ethic. Problem Cases. Suggested Readings. 2. Abortion. Introduction. The U.S. Supreme Court: Roe v. Wade (1973). John T. Noonan: An Almost Absolute Value in History. Judith Jarvis Thomson: A Defense of Abortion. Mary Anne Warren: On the Moral and Legal Status of Abortion. Don Marquis: An Argument that Abortion Is Wrong. Elizabeth Harman: Creation Ethics. Problem Cases. Suggested Readings. 3. Euthanasia and the Duty to Die. Introduction. James Rachels: Active and Passive Euthanasia. Bonnie Steinbock: The Intentional Termination of Life. Philippa Foot: Killing and Letting Die. John Harris: The Survival Lottery. Peter Singer: Justifying Voluntary Euthanasia. John Hardwig: Is There a Duty to Die? Problem Cases. Suggested Readings. 4. Capital Punishment: Introduction. The U.S. Supreme Court: Gregg v. Georgia (1976). Immanuel Kant: The Retributive Theory of Punishment. Ernest van den Haag: The Ultimate Punishment: A Defense. Jeffrey H. Reiman: Deterrence: Justice, Civilization, and the Death Penalty. Problem Cases. Suggested Readings. 5. Sexuality and Marriage. Introduction. The Vatican: Declaration on Sexual Ethics. John Corvino: Why Shouldn't Tommy and Jim Have Sex? A Defense of Homosexuality. David Bradshaw: A Reply to Corvino. Martha Nussbaum: Plato and Aristotle on Love. Sam Schulman: Gay Marriage--and Marriage. Jonathan Rauch: Who Needs Marriage? Problem Cases. Suggested Readings. 6. Liberty and Drugs. Introduction. John Stuart Mill: On Liberty. John Hospers: Libertarianism. Gerald Dworkin: Paternalism. Thomas Szasz: The Ethics of Addiction. James Q. Wilson: Against Legalization of Drugs. Daniel Shapiro: Addiction and Drug Policy. Problem Cases. Suggested Readings. 7. The Moral Status of Animals. Introduction. Immanuel Kant: Our Duties to Animals. Peter Singer: All Animals are Equal. Tom Regan: The Case for Animal Rights. Mary Anne Warren: Difficulties with the Strong Animal Rights Position. Roger Scruton: The Moral Status of Animals.. Problem Cases. Suggested Readings. 8. The Environment and Consumption. Introduction. Aldo Leopold: The Land Ethic. J. Baird Callicot: Animal Liberation: A Triangular Affair. Alan Thein Durning: How Much Is Enough?. Peter Singer: Famine, Affluence, and Morality Problem Cases. Suggested Readings. 9. War and Terrorism. Introduction. Douglas P. Lackey: Pacifism. William V. OBrein: The Conduct of Just and Limited War. Haig Khatchadourian: The Morality of Terrorism. Laurie Calhoun: The Terrorists Tacit Message. David Luban: The War on Terrorism and the End of Human Rights. Michael G. Knapp: The Concept and Practice of Jihad in Islam. Problem Cases. Suggested Readings.