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An Introduction to Moral Philosophy
Stimulate independent thought with this brief introduction to ethics.
Rather than telling students what to think about moral issues, this NEW text teaches students how to think for themselves. Using real-world examples and vivid illustrations drawn from other disciplines, it challenges preconceived notions about morality and demonstrates why ethics matters. A companion volume, Readings in Moral Philosophy, provides primary selections that amplify issues discussed in the text and extends them to problems in applied ethics.
Rather than telling students what to think about moral issues, this NEW text teaches students how to think for themselves. Using real-world examples and vivid illustrations drawn from other disciplines, it challenges preconceived notions about morality and demonstrates why ethics matters. A companion volume, Readings in Moral Philosophy, provides primary selections that amplify issues discussed in the text and extends them to problems in applied ethics.
261 pages, Paperback
Published September 29, 2017
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About the author
Jonathan Wolff
38 books59 followersJonathan Wolff is a Professor specialising in political philosophy at University College London, in England. Wolff earned his MPhil from UCL under the direction of G.A. Cohen. He is the secretary of the British Philosophical Association and honorary secretary of the Aristotelian Society, which publishes Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society. Recently, Wolff's work has specialized in disadvantage and equality and public policy decision making.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 11, 2023
Does what it says on the tin well.
Read this for an ethics class. Being already familiar with most of the philosophy in the book, it was a swift and easy read that refreshed a lot of knowledge. There were a few phrases and ways of looking at it that brought a new perspective on a way of thought or subject. Wolff guides you through the arguments of different schools of thought in a clear and understandable way, which must have been quite the task. I always felt like I had a grasp on the material. The ethical viewpoint of Wolff himself was never clear to me either, which in the case of a book like this is a significant compliment. The ample use of ways to digest the text through summaries, questions and the like was much appreciated.
As for criticisms, I think the last chapter with applied ethics could have been longer and more fleshed out, so as to really show the reader what goes into ethical consideration of real life dilemmas. You might argue that doing so might be unnecessary or needlessly complicated for an introduction and that is absolutely a valid opinion. (See how wise and reflected I am after having read this)
Read this for an ethics class. Being already familiar with most of the philosophy in the book, it was a swift and easy read that refreshed a lot of knowledge. There were a few phrases and ways of looking at it that brought a new perspective on a way of thought or subject. Wolff guides you through the arguments of different schools of thought in a clear and understandable way, which must have been quite the task. I always felt like I had a grasp on the material. The ethical viewpoint of Wolff himself was never clear to me either, which in the case of a book like this is a significant compliment. The ample use of ways to digest the text through summaries, questions and the like was much appreciated.
As for criticisms, I think the last chapter with applied ethics could have been longer and more fleshed out, so as to really show the reader what goes into ethical consideration of real life dilemmas. You might argue that doing so might be unnecessary or needlessly complicated for an introduction and that is absolutely a valid opinion. (See how wise and reflected I am after having read this)
January 16, 2022
A really good intro into the history and theories of ethics. Wolff provides many easy-to-follow analogies, and he also offers arguments for and against each philosophical school of Western though presented; Kantian Ethics, Aristolienism, Sophists, Nihilists, etc.
December 31, 2021
Amazing book bridging the gap between popular and university-level philosophy. Very accessible, well structured, and engaging to read!
Glossary at the end very useful.
Glossary at the end very useful.
January 18, 2024
3.5
A comprehensive guide through the fundamentals of moral philosophy: some general topics & concerns surrounding moral philosophy and then analysis and critisism of three theories: utilitarianism as told through Bentham and Mill, Kant's deontology and Aristotle's virtue ethics.
Book is well written, suitable for a broader audience, tackles a variety of subjects, sheds spotlight on sex & race issues in the field.
A comprehensive guide through the fundamentals of moral philosophy: some general topics & concerns surrounding moral philosophy and then analysis and critisism of three theories: utilitarianism as told through Bentham and Mill, Kant's deontology and Aristotle's virtue ethics.
Book is well written, suitable for a broader audience, tackles a variety of subjects, sheds spotlight on sex & race issues in the field.
May 10, 2025
كتاب صغيّر، بس دَسِم!
من الكتب المحترمة كمدخل لمبحث الأخلاق.
الكتاب ترتيبه نفس ترتيب كل كتب مقدّمات الأخلاق، بس الكاتب حاسه حيادي أكتر من أي كتاب تاني قرأته دا غير إن في تفاصيل مشوفتهاش في كتب تانية أكبر.
من الكتب المحترمة كمدخل لمبحث الأخلاق.
الكتاب ترتيبه نفس ترتيب كل كتب مقدّمات الأخلاق، بس الكاتب حاسه حيادي أكتر من أي كتاب تاني قرأته دا غير إن في تفاصيل مشوفتهاش في كتب تانية أكبر.
October 3, 2024
Soms heel boeiend en soms heel saai en het feit dat her verplichte leesstof was deed af aan de ervaring
November 1, 2024
Gelezen voor een vak over ethiek, en ik vond het echt een heel erg interessant goed geschreven boek!
March 8, 2023
I read this for an Ethics class in college. I got an A in the course thanks to this book. It's a great intro to basic ethics. I would not have read this book without taking the course. A school textbook type of book with all the key terms and ideas highlighted at the end of each chapter.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews