Creative Problem-Solving in Ethics

by Anthony Weston

This book offers a uniquely constructive set of tools for engaging complex and controversial ethical problems. Covering such practical methods as diversifying options, lateral thinking, reframing problems, approaching conflicts as creative opportunities, and many others, it shows how to find "room to move" inside even the most challenging ethical problems, and thereby discover new and productive ways to deal with them. The book features numerous exercises and applications that consider a wide range of familiar ethical issues--including the moral status of animals, the death penalty, poverty, drug use, and many others--and ends with some of the abortion, assisted suicide, and environmental ethics.
An ideal supplement for any general ethics course, Creative Problem-Solving in Ethics can also be used in more specific "applied" courses like bioethics, business ethics, and social ethics, as well as in critical thinking courses that emphasize ethics. In addition, it provides a concise and engaging introduction to creative thinking for workshop participants and general readers. From the very beginning of the book, readers will discover that creative thinking can offer imaginative and promising alternatives to seemingly intractable ethical dilemmas.

96 pages, Paperback

First published June 28, 2006

Reviews

[Jacabaeus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doesn't really provide anything new if you already have a passing familiarity with ethics or legal problem solving. The text is also overly familiar and casual with the reader, though I can see how others may claim that as a strength. Overall, it was worth the read as a refresher on dialogue, investigating, and ethical thought given it's small size.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good introduction to its topic, written to be accessible to a variety of readers.

If you are sick of debates that don't seem to go anywhere, but are passionate about using ideas to make the world a better place, then this book will be your cup of tea!

🌠

[Ari · Rating 3 out of 5]

"We need respect and love to buffer this world"

The idea in this book is simple, but often neglected. We can find here good ideas in creative thinking to help us jump out of the box of extreme and literal thinking, in the hope of finding creative and constructive solutions. When we are faced with dilemma in life and pulled into arguments, it is hard not to get carried away into being judgmental and self-righteous. We are often tempted to argue for argument's sake and forgot to ask the purpose of it all - to find a constructive solution and achieve a win-win situation that while being morally and ethically acceptable, it can also lead to understanding and caring choice of actions. "Segregation of the world often arises when people are led to believe that issues are either right or wrong, for which constructive solutions to ethical or philosophical questions rarely are." As I have written before, I think we need respect and love to buffer this world.

[Alex]

It's a short read on creativity methods that uses common ethical issues as dilemmas. It has value in challenging us to rethink and think deeper about the dilemmas we encounter, but it doesn't really teach you about philosophical practice of ethics itself.

The book is meant to be an introduction or supplement to the topic of ethics so its best to approach it with those expectations.

[Sofia The Great · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit idealistic but a good read. I wish more people thought outside the box and used creative thinking to solve problems. It's never one size fits all.