From Library Journal
The author (philosophy, Auburn Univ.) intends this textbook to be used jointly with "at least one other text that presents major ethical theories by central moral thinkers." The recommendation is sound, for this text is very elementary indeed. There are better introductions, e.g., A.C. Ewing's Ethics (1953), W.K. Frankena's Ethics (1973. 2d ed.), and E.J. Bond's Ethics and Human Well-Being (Blackwood, 1996), all of which are conceptually clearer and discuss matters more subtly. Machan's account of the elements of moral philosophy will help intelligent lay readers clarify basic ideas such as free will, the fact/value distinction, ethical subjectivism, and ethical relativism, thereby enabling them to avoid certain standard beginners' errors in thinking about morality. But brief discussions of nine topics, including abortion, assisted suicide, capital punishment, and sexual harassment, are limited by their "some say, but others say" format. Not vital for all collections.?Robert Hoffman, York Coll.,
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Synopsis
The basic issues and positions of ethical inquiry with the aim of encouraging discussion are featured in this book. Descriptions of moral theories including hedonism, utilitarianism, altruism, and egoism are included, as are the challenges to ethics, such as relativism and nihilism.
