Ethics

PREFACE.
HISTORYOF ETHICS TIME LINE.
PART I: ETHICAL THEORY.
1. Ethics and Ethical Reasoning.
Why Study Ethics? Metaethics. What Is Ethics? Ethics and Religion. Ethical and Other Types of Evaluation. Ethical Terms. Ethics and Reasons. Alternate Theories: Intuitionism and Emotivism. Ethical Reasoning and Arguments. The Structure of Ethical Reasoning and Argument. Evaluating and Making Good Arguments. Ethical Theory. Types of Ethical Theory. Can Ethics Be Taught? READING: Plato Euthyphro. C. L. Stevenson The Emotive Meaning of Ethical Terms. Review Exercises.
2. Ethical Relativism.
What Is Ethical Relativism? Two Forms of Ethical Relativism. Strong Versus Weak Interpretations of Ethical Relativism. Reasons Supporting Ethical Relativism. The Diversity of Moral Views. Moral Uncertainty. Situational Differences. Are These Reasons Convincing? The Diversity of Moral Views. Moral Uncertainty. Situational Differences. Further Considerations. Moral Realism. Moral Pluralism. READINGS: Mary Midgley Trying Out One's New Sword. Friedrich Nietzsche Master and Slave Moralities. Review Exercises.
3. Egoism.
Psychological Egoism. What Is Psychological Egoism? Is Psychological Egoism True? Ethical Egoism. What Is Ethical Egoism? Is Ethical Egoism a Good Theory? The Moral Point of View. Why Be Moral? READINGS: Plato The Ring of Gyges. Thomas Hobbes Self Love. Review Exercises.
4. Utilitarianism.
Historical Background. Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. The Principle of Utility. A Consequentialist Principle. The Intrinsic Good: Pleasure or Happiness. Calculating the Greatest Amount of Happiness. Quantity and Quality of Pleasure. Evaluating Utilitarianism. Application of the Principle. Utilitarianism and Personal Integrity. Ends and Means. The Trolley Problem. Act and Rule Utilitarianism. "Proof" of the Theory. READINGS: Jeremy Bentham An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation(1789). John Stuart Mill Utilitarianism. Review Exercises.
5. Kant's Moral