Morality and the Meaning of Life: An Introduction to Ethical Theory

By Joseph Ellin

For the introductory course in ethics, basic moral problems, or advanced courses in moral theory, MORALITY AND THE MEANING OF LIFE offers a jargon-free approach without sacrificing the rigors of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0155013084
• ISBN13: 9780155013087
• Release Date: October 1994
• Publisher: Cengage Learning
• Length: 340 Pages
• Weight: 0.04 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Yet another excellent introduction to ethical theory!

I first learned about this text when it was recommended to me by Quentin Smith (Professor of Philosophy, Western Michigan University). I am very grateful for the recommendation, for I have learned much from Professor Ellin's helpful introduction. Here is the table of contents:Preface1. An Introduction to Moral TheoryPART I: SUBSTANTIALLY CONCEPTUAL ISSUES2. Challenges to Ethics: Relativism3. Challenges to Ethics: Egoism4. The Foundations of Ethics5. Moral FactsPART II: SUBSTIANTIALLY NORMATIVE ISSUES6. Lying7. Good Character8. Utilitarianism9. Kant: Evil as Irrationality10. The Meaning of LifeGlossaryList of AbbreviationsIndexI found chapters 4 and 10 to be helpful discussions of topics that are sometimes, if not often, omitted from texts of this type. In chapter 4, Ellin discusses, among other things, the relationship between religion and ethics. In chapter 10, Ellin discusses the question of the meaning of life, including the implications of death, repetitive pointlessness, ultimate insignificance, absurdity for "big picture" meaning and also for morality.Along with Pojman's _Ethics: Discovering Right and Wrong_ (3rd. ed.), Ellin's text offers an excellent college-level introduction to ethics.