Understanding Ethics - Paperback

by Torbjörn Tännsjö (Author)

How can we find true or reasonable moral principles to live our everyday lives by? Torbjörn Tännsjö presents 7 radically different moral theories - utilitarianism, egoism, deontological ethics, the ethics of rights, virtue ethics, feminist ethics, environmental or ecological ethics - each of which attempts to provide the ultimate answer to the question of what we ought to do and why. He carefully describes each theory, showing how it works in practice using the 'trolley problem' thought experiments, critically assessing it and putting it into its historical perspective. This third edition contains a new section on population ethics in the chapter on utilitarianism, discusses the impact of recent findings in social psychology on virtue ethics and includes new, clearer applications of the trolley problem.

Back Jacket

'With its readable style, broad coverage of different views, and well-integrated mix of ethical theory and practical ethical dilemmas, Understanding Ethics provides an ideal introduction to ethics for students everywhere. The revised edition makes an already excellent book even better.' Professor Peter Singer, Princeton University Praise for the first edition: 'An excellent book: it leads people into quite sophisticated issues with such clarity, and such good real-world cases, that it doesn't seem at all dry or "academic".' Professor Jonathan Glover, King's College, London An introduction to moral theory for new students of ethics How can we find true or reasonable moral principles to live our everyday lives by? Torbjörn Tännsjö presents 7 radically different moral theories, each of which attempts to provide the ultimate answer to the question of what we ought to do and why. He carefully describes each theory, showing how it works in practice, critically assessing it and putting it into its historical perspective. Key features - Covers 7 moral theories: utilitarianism, egoism, deontological ethics, the ethics of rights, virtue ethics, feminist ethics, environmental or ecological ethics - Shows how each theory works in practice using the famous 'trolley problem' thought experiment - Looks at the influence of neuroscience and psychology on the formation of our moral intuitions New for the 3rd edition - A new section on population ethics has been added to the chapter on utilitarianism - Discusses the impact of recent findings in social psychology on virtue ethics - New, clearer applications of the trolley problem Torbjörn Tännsjö is Kristian Claëson Professor of Practical Philosophy at Stockholm University.

Author Biography

Torbjörn Tännsjö is Kristian Claëson Professor of Practical Philosophy at Stockholm University. He is author of several books including Global Democracy (EUP, 2008), Conservatism for Our Time (1990), Populist Democracy (1993), Hedonistic Utilitarianism (1998) and Understanding Ethics (2002).