Basic Ethics

by Michael Boylan

Examines major moral theories from the worldview perspective, teaching readers the major tenets of the principal moral theories, and the controversies that surround them, as well as offering suggestions on choosing and applying an ethical theory. Intuitionism. Virtue Ethics. Utilitarianism. Deontology. Feminist Ethics. Ethics and Religion. Professional Ethics. How to Choose an Ethical Theory. How to Apply an Ethical Theory. For anyone interested in exploring applied and professional ethics.

210 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Michael Boylan (Ph.D. Philosophy, University of Chicago: M.A. English Literature, University of Chicago) is Professor of Philosophy at Marymount University. Boylan is the author of 31 books and over 130 Scholarly and popular articles on topics ranging from Philosophy to Literature.

Boylan's latest Philosophy books are Natural Rights: A Theory (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press/September 2014) and The Origins of Ancient Greek Science (London: Routledge/ May 2015). His recent novels are, Rainbow Curve (2014), To the Promised Land (2015), Naked Reverse (2016), and Georgia: A Trilogy--Part One (2016) & Georgia: A Trilogy--Part Two (2017).

Reviews

[Austin]

Horrible. Too many logical flaws to count and poor, roundabout (and not to mention, in places, incorrect) lessons in ethical thought. I can't believe Prentice Hall published this author.

[John Cumming]

I was after a book to familiarise myself with various ethical theories and summaries of the challenges they address and the weaknesses they contain. The book did a good job of giving me a starting point, although I was kind of hoping for a bit on De Beauvoir’s ethics of ambiguity as I have the sense that will provide me with more insight. I’m not looking for in depth logical reasoning of these theories (maybe I should - who’s to say?) but rather looking for potential weaknesses in my decision making and the decision making of those whom I coach. I think this book will help me do that and feel it will be one I dip in and out of over time.

[Carrie Pritchett]

Great textbook for an ethics class, or for a great user-friendly manual for ethical matters.

[Tim]

Poor book. I was surprised that the stupid phrase "could care less," was used.

[Michelle T.]

I guess is because is a school book is not one of my favorites. It does have its interesting parts of showing the different theories of ethics...

[Sofia The Great]

School book that I had to read and did not enjoy. I really didn't learn anything from it.