Moral Imagination: Confronting the Ethical Issues of Our Day - Softcover

Tivnan, Edward

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0684824760 ISBN 13: 9780684824765

Publisher: Touchstone, 1996

Synopsis

Exploring the most sophisticated thinking from philosophy, theology, medicine, and the law, Edward Tivnan takes us through the intellectual and emotional complexities of the most pressing ethical debates of our day: abortion, euthanasia, suicide, capital punishment, racial justice, and affirmative action. In a format that is both anecdotal and concrete, Tivnan lays out the best arguments on all sides of these vital topics, allowing us to come to our own conclusions. In the end, he makes a case for trying to understand other people's most cherished values, arguing that only by facing our differences can we achieve a truly decent and civil society.

About this title

From Library Journal:

The author discusses five subjects?abortion, suicide, euthanasia, capital punishment, and racial justice?by collecting arguments from the writing of authorities on each issue. Unfortunately, these arguments rarely focus specifically on each other so there is no impression of careful thought on the subjects. At the end of each chapter, Tivnan offers his own opinion about the topic?views marred by vagueness, oversimplification, emotionalism, and omission of important considerations. Readers interested in the five subjects should read either a collection of connected opposed views, such as Moral Issues (Oxford Univ. Pr., ed. by Jan Narveson, 1983), or some incisive sustained argument by a particular author, such as in Narveson's own Moral Matters (Broadview Pr., 1993). Not recommended.?Robert Hoffman, York Coll., CUNY
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist:

Tivnan attacks five morally explosive issues: abortion, suicide, euthanasia, capital punishment, and racial justice and affirmative action. The author presents a brief historical overview, the beliefs of the opposing sides on each issue, occasionally a middle-of-the-road perspective, and finally his own opinion. The purpose of this collection of viewpoints is not solely to help individuals hear the voice of their opponents, but to demonstrate how such moral disagreements can benefit society. By the time the author's own views are aired, they may already be recognizable from the language, arguments, and experts he has chosen. Still, here is plenty of provocative material, certainly a good stimulus for further reading. Denise Perry Donavin

About this edition

• Publisher: Touchstone
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0684824760
• ISBN 13: 9780684824765
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 336