The Fundamentals of Ethics - Softcover

Shafer-Landau, Russ

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0190631392 ISBN 13: 9780190631390

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2017

Synopsis

In The Fundamentals of Ethics, Fourth Edition, author Russ Shafer-Landau employs a uniquely engaging writing style to introduce students to the essential ideas of moral philosophy. Offering more comprehensive coverage of the good life, normative ethics, and metaethics than any other text of its kind, this book also addresses issues that are often omitted from other texts, such as the doctrine of doing and allowing, the doctrine of double effect, ethical particularism, the desire-satisfaction theory of well-being, moral error theory, and Ross's theory of prima facie duties. Shafer-Landau carefully reconstructs and analyzes dozens of arguments in depth, at a level that is understandable to students with no prior philosophical background.

Ideal for courses in introductory ethics and contemporary moral problems, this book can be used as a stand-alone text or with the author's companion reader, The Ethical Life: Fundamental Readings in Ethics and Moral Problems, Fourth Edition.

About this title

About the Author:

Russ Shafer-Landau is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is the author, editor, or coeditor of several books including Living Ethics (OUP, 2018) and The Ethical Life, Fourth Edition (OUP, 2017). He is also the editor of Oxford Studies in Metaethics.

Review:

"The Fundamentals of Ethics is quite simply the best introductory ethics book out there."--Philip Robbins, University of Missouri

"The writing style is perfectly pitched, the examples are vivid and memorable, and the concepts are thoroughly discussed."--Scott James, University of North Carolina Wilmington

"The clarity of Shafer-Landau's writing is almost unparalleled, and the examples that he uses (both real and imagined) are pedagogical treasures. He does a remarkable job of explaining very complex philosophical theories in a thoroughly engaging yet eminently clear fashion."--Aleksander Pjevalica, University of Texas at El Paso

"The Fundamentals of Ethics is an outstanding introductory text. It does an excellent job of presenting complex ideas at an introductory level, while deftly helping students understand the practical import of ethical theory. Its analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of each of the normative theories is cogently presented. Perhaps its most salient feature is its handling of metaethical issues, which speaks directly to the presuppositions students often have about ethical reasoning. Shafer-Landau's approach clearly shows the experience of someone who has taught this material in the classroom and understands common student assumptions and concerns. This is a very impressive introduction. And the price is substantially lower than that of the Rachels text."--Matthew J. Fitzsimmons, University of North Alabama

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 0190631392
• ISBN 13: 9780190631390
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 4
• Number of pages: 400