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

Joseph Ellin (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0155013084 | ISBN-13: 978-0155013087 | Publication Date: October 12, 1994 | Edition: 1

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 logic.

Product Details

• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 1 edition (October 12, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0155013084
• ISBN-13: 978-0155013087
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,015,962 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yet another excellent introduction to ethical theory!, September 9, 2001

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This review is from: Morality and the Meaning of Life: An Introduction to Ethical Theory (Paperback)

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:

Preface
1. An Introduction to Moral Theory
PART I: SUBSTANTIALLY CONCEPTUAL ISSUES
2. Challenges to Ethics: Relativism
3. Challenges to Ethics: Egoism
4. The Foundations of Ethics
5. Moral Facts
PART II: SUBSTIANTIALLY NORMATIVE ISSUES
6. Lying
7. Good Character
8. Utilitarianism
9. Kant: Evil as Irrationality
10. The Meaning of Life
Glossary
List of Abbreviations
Index

I 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.