Contemporary Moral Problems - Softcover

White, James E.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0534584306 ISBN 13: 9780534584306

Publisher: Cengage Learning, 1980

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 this title

Review

Preface. 1. ETHICAL THEORIES. Introduction. James Rachels: Egoism and Moral Skepticism. John Arthur: . Religion, Morality, and Conscience. Saint Thomas Aquinas: The Natural Law. David Hume: Morality is based on Sentiment. Mary Midgley: Trying Out One's New Sword. John Stuart Mill: Utilitarianism. Immanuel Kant: The Categorical Imperative. Aristotle: Happiness and Virtue. John Rawls: A Theory of Justice. Hilde Lindemann: What is Feminist Ethics? Problem Cases. Suggested Readings. 2. ABORTION. Introduction. The U.S. Supreme Court: Excerpts from Roe v. Wade (1973). John T. Noonan, Jr.: 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. Eugene Mills: The Egg and I: Conception, Identity, and Abortion. 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. Dan W. Brock: Voluntary Active 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. Jeffrey H. Reiman: Against the Death Penalty. Problem Cases. Suggested Readings. 5. SAME-SEX MARRIAGE. Introduction. Jeff Jordan: Is it Wrong to Discriminate on the Basis of Homosexuality? David Boonin: Same-Sex Marriage and the Argument From. Public Disagreement. Jonathan Rauch: Who Needs Marriage? Maggie Gallagher: What Marriage is For. Problem Cases. Suggested Readings. 6. ANIMAL LIBERATION AND VEGETARIANISM. Introduction. Immanuel Kant: Our Duties to Animals. Peter Singer: All Animals Are Equal. Bonnie Steinbock: Speciesism and the Idea of Equality. Alastair Norcross: Puppies, Pigs, and People: Eating. Meat and Marginal Cases. Problem Cases. Suggested Readings. 7. WORLD POVERTY AND HUNGER. Introduction. Thomas Pogge: World Poverty and Hunger. John McMillan: Antipoverty Warriors. Peter Singer: Famine, Affluence, and Morality. Garett Hardin: Living on a Lifeboat. Problem Cases. Suggested Readings. 8. FINANCIAL CRISIS. Introduction. Niall Ferguson: The Descent of Money. David McNally: From Financial Crisis to World Slump. Paul Krugman: The Return of Depression Economics. Nomi Prins and Christopher Hayes: Meet the Hazzards. Problem Cases. Suggested Readings. 9. WAR AND TERRORISM. Introduction. Douglas P. Lackey: Pacifism. Michael W. Brough, John W. Lango, and Harry van der Linden: Just War Principles. Neta C. Crawford: The Slippery Slope to Preventive War. Laurie Calhoun: The Terrorist's Tacit Message. Thomas Nagel: What Is Wrong with Terrorism? David Luban: The War on Terrorism and the End of Human Rights. Problem Cases. Suggested Readings. 10. TORTURE. Introduction. Alan Dershowitz: The Case for Torturing the Ticking Bomb Terrorist. David Luban: Liberalism, Torture and the Ticking Bomb. Uwe Steinhoff: The Case for Dirty Harry and against Alan Dershowitz. Problem Cases. Suggested Readings. 11. ASSASSINATION. Introduction. Whitley R. P. Kaufman: Rethinking the Ban on Assassination: Just War Principles in the Age of Terror. Daniel Statman: Targeted Killing. Problem Cases. Suggested Readings.

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.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cengage Learning
• Publication date: 1980
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0534584306
• ISBN 13: 9780534584306
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 624