Ethics: A Very Short IntroductionOur 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. |
From inside the book
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Contents
Introduction | 1 |
1 Seven threats to ethics | 9 |
2 Some ethical ideas | 49 |
3 Foundations | 93 |
Appendix | 117 |
Notes and further reading | 125 |
Picture credits | 131 |
133 | |
137 | |
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Common terms and phrases
abortion according action admirable allowed answer argued argument asked authority become behaviour believe better Christian climate common conception concern consider conversation course criticism culture death demands depend desire determined duty enjoy equal ethics event example eyes fact fear feel flourish foundation freedom function genetic give happen happiness human idea imagine individual instance interest issue John justice Kant kind language least liberty limit living look means mind moral nature never ourselves particular passions perhaps person philosopher pleasure point of view political practice prefer principles problem promise protection question reason religion requires respect rules seems sense shows social society someone stand standards story suggest Suppose theory things thought true truth turn understand universal utilitarianism virtue women wrong