This text requires the student to engage in reflective thought about moral problems chiefly by introducing them to the basic issues in moral philosophy by means of readings from the past and present. This text is designed to introduce the student to the art and discipline of critical ethical thinking. The book will begin by laying out some of the dominant ethical theories from the history of philosophy, then focus on the application of critical ethical thinking to issues of current interest and importance. The bulk of this reading will be the examination of cases and discussion about the possible solutions based on the students’ understanding of ethics. By the end of the book, it is expected that the successful student will be able to articulate and critically defend viewpoints about contemporary ethical issues.
Richard Sneed attended Texas A&M University, where he studied History and Applied Physics, and the University of Texas, where he studied Philosophy and Medieval English Literature; He earned graduate degrees in Theology and Divinity at Southern Methodist University, in Philosophy at Michigan State University, and in Philosophy at Florida State University, where he finished the PhD with a specialty in Early Medieval Philosophy. Sneed spent six years at the University of Central Oklahoma, where he taught Logic, Applied Ethics, Medieval Philosophy, and Humanities. Now he teaches at McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas. Richard has one wife, two kids, and two cats.
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Ethical Language And Terminology
Chapter 3: Ethical Theories And Systems
Chapter 4: Ethical Theories (Continued)
Chapter 5: Divine Command Theory
Chapter 6: Religion And Morality
Chapter 7: Sources Of Our Morality
Chapter 8: Utilitarianism
Chapter 9: Kantianism
Chapter 10: The Social Contract Tradition
Chapter 11: Rawls And Theories Of Distributive Justice
Chapter 12: Case: The Couple
Chapter 13: Cloning
Chapter 14: Cannibalism
Chapter 15: Ashley Treatment
Chapter 16: Plastic Surgery
Chapter 17: Capital Punishment
Chapter 18: Pornography
Chapter 19: Abortion
Chapter 20: Same-Sex Marriage
Chapter 21: Polygamy