Ethics: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) - Softcover

Blackburn, Simon

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0192804421 ISBN 13: 9780192804426

Publisher: OUP Oxford, 2003

Synopsis

Our self-image as moral, well-behaved creatures is dogged by scepticism, relativism, hypocrisy, and nihilism, by the fear that in a Godless world science has unmasked us as creatures fated by our genes to be selfish and tribalistic, or competitive and aggressive. In this 'sparklingly clear' (Guardian) introduction to ethics Simon Blackburn tackles the major moral questions surrounding birth, death, happiness, desire and freedom, showing us how we should think about the meaning of life, and how we should mistrust the soundbite-sized absolutes that often dominate moral debates.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

About this title

Review:

Review from previous edition Simon Blackburn's short book takes the big moral questions head on and does so brilliantly. . . a witty, vivid writer with an enviable popular touch . . . this is a wonderfully enlightening book. (Ben Rogers, Sunday Telegraph,)

full of good sense (Sunday Times)

But for anyone wondering how big questions have bothered us over the years, this witty, rigorous book fills in the gaps. (PLAY, The Times)

always lively and never simplistic (Waterstone's Quarterly January 2002)

Good clearheaded stuff (Ted Honderich, The Times)

enjoyable and extremely readable . . . Blackburn . . . is breezy, helpful, reassuring (The Philosopher's Magazine)

sparklingly clear (Guardian)

a first rate and accessible guide which tackles the huge, perpetual questions (Nottingham Evaning Post)

About the Author:

Simon Blackburn is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Cambridge. Until recently he was Edna J. Doury Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the University of North Carolina, and from 1969 to 1999 a Fellow and Tutor at Pembroke College, Oxford. His books include Spreading the Word (1984), Essays in Quasi-Realism (1993), The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy (1994), Ruling Passions (1998), and Truth (co-edited with Keith Simmons, 1999), and the best-selling Think (1999). He edited the journal Mind from 1984 to 1990.

About this edition

• Publisher: OUP Oxford
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0192804421
• ISBN 13: 9780192804426
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 152