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The Right Thing to Do: Basic Readings in Moral Philosophy
This collection of readings in moral theory and moral issues from major Western philosophers is the ideal companion reader for James Rachels' text "The Elements of Moral Philosophy." The anthology explores further the theories and issues introduced in that volume, in their original and classic formulations. The collection can stand on its own as the text for a co...more
Paperback, 327 pages
Published
March 3rd 2009
by McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Langua
(first published 1989)
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These sort of perfect-world ethicisms, as are represented by this collection of essays from academia, are exactly what plagues the study of morality. James Rachels has done the world no moral service. He rather has helped obfuscate the issues.
-Morality- is universal, and an absolute categorical truth.
-Ethics- are often hackneyed personal or societal efforts to make a better world.
As these essays show a critical reader, making a better world is a far cry from...more
-Morality- is universal, and an absolute categorical truth.
-Ethics- are often hackneyed personal or societal efforts to make a better world.
As these essays show a critical reader, making a better world is a far cry from...more
This review refers to the 2010 (5th) edition. Appropriate read for the beginner who has at least some experience with philosophical debate.
The Right Thing To Do: Basic Readings in Moral Philosophy by James Rachels (2002)
I have used this book and its companion volume for my intro to ethics courses. I would recommend the texts for instructors who want to make use of case-studies in applied ethics. However, I have to supplement the text insofar as primary source material is overlooked. Stuart Rachels has a pretty good suggested syllabus on his website.
Pros: good for applied ethics, intuitive presentation, appropriate for 100-level courses,
Cons: lack of primary source material, no meta-ethics, ...more
Pros: good for applied ethics, intuitive presentation, appropriate for 100-level courses,
Cons: lack of primary source material, no meta-ethics, ...more
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In designing a syllabus for an undergraduate Intro to Ethics seminar, I needed a book that would collect together some seminal works in normative ethics. The challenge is to find a volume which includes readings from the most important thinkers, does so in an accessible way, and includes enough of the original texts to give some context for the ideas being put forward. Oh, and if the book doesn't cost students a fortune, that is great, too. Rachels' anthology fit the bill perfectly.
dense and full of jargon but important
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