Moral Theory: An Introduction

Front Cover
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Nov 29, 2012 - Philosophy - 380 pages
Moral Theory: An Introduction explores some of the most historically important and currently debated moral theories about the nature of the right and good. Providing an introduction to moral theory that explains and critically examines the theories of such classical moral philosophers as Aristotle, Aquinas, Kant, Bentham, Mill, and Ross, this book acquaints students with the work of contemporary moral philosophers. All of the book's chapters have been revised in light of recent work in moral theory. The second edition includes a new chapter on ethical egoism, an extensively revised chapter on moral particularism, and expanded coverage of divine command theory, moral relativism, and consequentialism. Additionally, this edition discusses recent work by moral psychologists that is making an impact on moral theory.
 

Contents

Chapter 1 An Introduction to Moral Theory
1
Chapter 2 Divine Command Theory
23
Chapter 3 Moral Relativism
41
Chapter 4 Natural Law Theory
71
Classical Utilitarianism
111
Contemporary Developments
143
Chapter 7 Ethical Egoism
177
Chapter 8 Kants Moral Theory
205
Chapter 10 Virtue Ethics
269
Chapter 11 Moral Particularism
305
Chapter 12 Conclusion
331
Standards for Evaluating Moral Theories
337
Glossary
339
References
351
Index
359
About the Author
367

Chapter 9 Moral Pluralism
245

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About the author (2012)

Mark Timmons is professor of philosophy at the University of Arizona. He has published extensively on topics in moral theory, metaethics, and Kant’s ethics. He is author of Morality without Foundations (1999) and editor of Oxford Studies in Normative Ethics.

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