Human Happiness and Morality: A Brief Introduction to Ethics [Hardcover]

Robert F. Almeder (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2000

What makes a right act right? Why should I be moral? What is human happiness and how do I attain it? These questions are the foundations of ethics and they form the backdrop for all discussions of the subject. In "Human Happiness and Morality", noted philosopher Robert Almeder provides lucid introductory explanations of the major ethical theories and traditions, and looks at the answers emerging from the three basic questions. Divided into four parts, this book first details proposed answers to 'What makes a right act right?' including a discussion of consequentialist and deontological theories. Rather than taking sides in the debate as most texts do, Almeder admits that 'we face daunting difficulties' when trying to decide what makes an act right or wrong. Trying to face these difficulties honestly gives intensity to ethical discussion.The second and third sections of this book ask whether or not one must be moral, and what is the nature of human happiness and how one attains it. Almeder imparts a clear understanding of what is needed for happiness and the place of traditional morality in that pursuit. In closing, the author details simple Stoic rules for happy living and shows how to live a good life despite the existence of unhappiness and failure in others.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a very readable volume that can be used at all levels of undergraduate and graduate study." -- Choice, July 2000

Product Details

• Hardcover: 212 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (January 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573927597
• ISBN-13: 978-1573927598
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,483,077 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Robert Almeder received his PhD in philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania and is Professor Emeritus at Georgia State University, having served as the McCullough Distinguished Professor at Hamilton College (N.Y.). He has served in the past as the editor of the American Philosophical Quarterly.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear presentation of basic issues in ethics, January 13, 2011

By 

bronx book nerd (Bronx, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Human Happiness and Morality: A Brief Introduction to Ethics (Paperback)

Professor Almeder has written a very clear presentation to ethics or the study of moral acts. His exposition is one of the most understandable ones I've read. Almeder starts at the beginning, exploring the basic issue of "What Makes a Right Act Right?" He explores the many ethical traditions, like utilitarianism and hedonism, and presents objections as well as support for all. The book is balanced this way throughout, assisting the reader in coming to his or her own conclusions. Almeder also discusses the questions: Why SHould I be Moral? and What is Human Happiness. Again, with balance, clarity and thoroughness, Almeder introduces and discusses each question.

Almeder concludes that, no matter how you slice it, their is no way to come up with objective answers to any of the questions he explores. That is, there is no way, for example, to come up with an empirically verifiably proof that one should be moral. How he arrives at this is fascinating, particularly the explanation of how some of the questions asked can be meaningless. He does not leave us hanging, however, and offers Stoicism as a reasonable compromise that allows for a subjectively prudent approach to choosing between right and wrong.

I think one of the problems in this discussion is the division of acts into deontological and consequentialist, or whether a right act should be done based on rules or whether consequences are they key to whether an act is right. I think the reality is that people take into account both and therefore combine both philosophical aspects into their decisions - thus the expression of the white lie or the illustration of the necessary lie to a Nazi seeking Jews in hiding. I also think that the discussion is limited by looking at the long-term perspective only in the here and now. People who believe in an after-life consider the eternal perspective as well. Decisions made that would provide a short-term benefit with little harm in one's lifetime, are cast in a different light when considering this longer term.

Suggesting that a person could get away with immoral acts so long as everyone else is being moral is also very unrealistic. This was done in the discussion on "Why Should I be Moral?" It takes only a very few people acting immorally to create lots of chaos, including unhappines to the agent who thought it was only he acting immorally.

In terms of seeking happiness, I think one should look at not just how people can be happy but who is actually happy. Recent studies show that it is people who are married, religious, express gratitude and have strong social networks, among other things. It would be interesting to explore how these sign-posts of happiness correlate to acts.

Finally, Almeder notes that, when asked, most people tend to say they are happy, virtually regardless of circumstances. This would tend to weaken the case for looking at means to increase happiness, since mostly everyone seems to be happy anyway. One possible response to this is that perhaps simply posing the question, "Are you happy" has an effect on the responder that leads them to answer yes, a sort of Heisenberg principle or Hawthorne effect of psychology.

Overall, this book is a very accessible introduction to the main questions in ethics. Almeder has an unusual gift for writing about this very challenging topic in a clear and understandable manner (I could even follow the footnotes).

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introduction to ethics and ethical issues., March 5, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Human Happiness and Morality: A Brief Introduction to Ethics (Paperback)

Robert Almeder's Human Happiness And Morality provides an excellent introduction to ethics and ethical issues. From the elements necessary for a harmonious relationship and happiness to traditional pursuits of morality, this reveals some easy rules for simple living.