Understanding Ethics: An Introduction to Moral Theory

by Torbjorn Tannsjo

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This is 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? Torbjorn Tannsjo 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. Tannsjo carefully describes each theory, showing how it works in practice, critically assessing it and putting it into its historical perspective. It covers 7 moral theories: utilitarianism, egoism, deontological ethics, the ethics of rights, virtue ethics, feminist ethics, environmental or ecological ethics. It shows how each theory works in practice using the famous 'trolley' thought experiment. It looks at the influence of neuroscience and psychology on the formation of our moral intuitions. New For This 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; and new, clearer applications of the trolley cases.
  • ISBN10 0748682244
  • ISBN13 9780748682249
  • Publish Date 31 May 2013 (first published 1 September 2002)
  • Publish Status Active
  • Publish Country GB
  • Imprint Edinburgh University Press
  • Edition 3rd Revised edition
  • Format Hardcover
  • Pages 152
  • Language English