A Concise Introduction to Ethics

A Concise Introduction to Ethics offers a condensed and exceptionally well-written introduction to the essential moral theories. Based on Russ Shafer-Landau's best-selling primer on ethical theory, The Fundamentals of Ethics, this briefer volume retains the longer one's content advantage over competing books by addressing issues that other texts omit, including the good life (value theory), natural law, and prima facie duties. It also incorporates discussion questions and case studies at the end of each chapter, giving students the opportunity to apply ethical theories to real-world moral problems.

A perfect companion to Shafer-Landau's anthology, The Ethical Life, this volume's compact size and low price make A Concise Introduction to Ethics an ideal complement to any course where it is important that students understand moral theories.

Russ Shafer-Landau is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is the author of several books, including Living Ethics (OUP, 2018), The Fundamentals of Ethics, Fourth Edition (OUP, 2017), and The Ethical Life, Fourth Edition (OUP, 2017). He is also the editor of Oxford Studies in Metaethics.

Chapter 1. What Is Morality?
A. Conventional and Critical Morality
B. The Branches of Moral Philosophy
C. Moral Starting Points
D. Morality and Other Normative Systems
E. Morality and Religion
F. Conclusion
Key Terms and Concepts
Discussion Questions
Cases for Critical Reflection
Chapter 2. Moral Reasoning
A. Validity and Soundness
B. Necessary and Sufficient Conditions
C. Valid Argument Forms
D. Fallacies
E. Conclusion
Key Terms and Concepts
Discussion Questions
Chapter 3. Skepticism about Morality
A. Egoism
B. Relativism
C. Error Theory
D. Conclusion
Key Terms and Concepts
Discussion Questions
Cases for Critical Reflection
Chapter 4. The Good Life
A. Hedonism
B. Desire Satisfaction Theory
C. Conclusion
Key Terms and Concepts
Discussion Questions
Cases for Critical Reflection
Chapter 5. Natural Law
A. The Theory and Its Attractions
B. Three Conceptions of Human Nature
C. Natural Purposes
D. The Doctrine of Double Effect
E. Conclusion
Key Terms and Concepts
Discussion Questions
Cases for Critical Reflection
Chapter 6. Consequentialism
A. The Nature of Consequentialism
B. The Attractions of Utilitarianism
C. Some Difficulties for Utilitarianism
D. Conclusion
Key Terms and Concepts
Discussion Questions
Cases for Critical Reflection
Chapter 7. Kantian Ethics
A. Consistency and Fairness
B. The Principle of Universalizability
C. Hypothetical and Categorical Imperatives
D. Assessing the Principle of Universalizability
E. Kant on Absolute Moral Duties
F. The Principle of Humanity
G. Conclusion
Key Terms and Concepts
Discussion Questions
Cases for Critical Reflection
Chapter 8. Social Contract Theory
A. The Background of the Social Contract Theory
B. The Prisoner's Dilemma
C. Cooperation and the State of Nature
D. The Advantages of Contractarianism
E. The Role of Consent
F. Disagreement among the Contractors
G. Conclusion
Key Terms and Concepts
Discussion Questions
Cases for Critical Reflection
Chapter 9. The Ethic of Prima Facie Duties
A. Ethical Pluralism and Prima Facie Duties
B. The Advantages of Ross's View
C. A Problem for Ross's View
D. Prima Facie Duties and the Testing of Moral Theories
E. Knowing the Right Thing to Do
F. Conclusion
Key Trms and Concepts
Discussion Questions
Cases for Critical Reflection
Chapter 10. Virtue Ethics
A. The Standard of Right Action
B. Moral Complexity
C. Moral Understanding
D. The Nature of Virtue
E. Does Virtue Ethics Offer Adequate Moral Guidance?
F. Who Are the Moral Role Models?
G. Conflict and Contradiction
H. The Priority Problem
I. Conclusion
Key Trms and Concepts
Discussion Questions
Cases for Critical Reflection
Chapter 11. Feminist Ethics and the Ethics of Care
A. The Elements of Feminist Ethics
B. The Ethics of Care
C. The Importance of Emotions
D. Against Unification
E. Partiality and Concreteness
F. Downplaying Rights
G. Challenges for Feminist Ethics
H. Conclusion
Key Trms and Concepts
Discussion Questions
Cases for Critical Reflection
Suggestions for Further Reading
Appendix: The Truth about Philosophy Majors
Glossary
Index