Ethics Through History: An Introduction

by Terence Irwin

What is the human good? What are the primary virtues that make a good person? What makes an action right? Must we try to maximize good consequences? How can we know what is right and good? Can morality be rationally justified? In Ethics Through History, Terence Irwin addresses such fundamental questions, making these central debates intelligible to readers without an extensive background in philosophy. He provides a historical and philosophical discussion ofmajor questions and key philosophers in the history of ethics, in the tradition that begins with Socrates onwards. Irwin covers ancient, medieval, and modern moral philosophers whose views have helped to form the agenda for contemporary ethical theory, paying attention to the strengths and weaknesses oftheir respective positions.

Genres: Philosophy, History

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 26, 2020

About the author

Terence Irwin is a scholar and philosopher specializing in ancient Greek philosophy and the history of ethics (i.e. the history of Western moral philosophy in ancient, medieval, and modern times).

Since 2007, he has been the Professor of Ancient Philosophy at the University of Oxford, and Fellow of Keble College, Oxford. From 1975 until 2007, he was at Cornell University, where he has been Susan Linn Sage Professor of Philosophy and Humane Letters (from 1995), Professor of Classics (from 1992), and Professor of Philosophy (from 1982). Previously, he was Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Harvard University (1972-1975). He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Reviews

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the book I've always wanted on an introduction to ethics.
It goes through all of western moral philosophy starting with Socrates.

The first part with the Ancients was fantastic and I really enjoyed it.

The second part with the medieval christian philosophers was incredibly boring but that's probably mostly because of the subject. And it's probably necessary to cover as a step into modern moral philosophers. Could've been shorter though.

From Hobbes and all the way to the end was great again even if not as good as the first part. There was some parts that were very confusing and repetitive but again, might've been the subject matter. There was some pretty out of character snide remarks on the Soviet Union (which seems to be necessary for anyone covering that period in academia to keep your liberal capitalist cred). Other than that it was very interesting and I enjoyed it.

4 stars. Maybe 3.5 but I round up.

[Joonas Laajanen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent throughout. The only philosophy textbook at uni so far (that I've had to read) that presents Christian ethics accurately and with the appropriate respect.