The Quest for Moral Foundations: An Introduction to Ethics [Paperback]

Montague Brown (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 8, 1996

A concise, yet engaging introduction to the field of ethics, this volume offers a systematic study of the foundations of moral responsibility. Montague Brown guides the reader on an examination of a wide range of ethical positions, including relativism, emotivism, egoism, utilitarianism, Kantian formalism, and natural law.

Brown explains not only the history behind the development of each position, but also the roles science, democracy, and religion play in moral thinking today.

Students and teachers of philosophy, ethics, and religion, as well as the general reader, will find that this book tackles the serious issues and offers an insightful, accessible introduction to major ethical positions and the great moral philosophers.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Montague Brown is a professor of philosophy at St. Anselm College.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Georgetown University Press (July 8, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0878406131
• ISBN-13: 978-0878406135
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #843,080 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good! Great!, June 29, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Quest for Moral Foundations: An Introduction to Ethics (Paperback)

A concise, and lucid and systematic introduction to ethical theories still prevailing nowadays.
The contents of the book are arranged in ways that lead readers to many topics progressively and in ways that weave these theories into a logically inter-connected whole, while the author's own position is clearly unfolded. The author has his own position! For example, he suggests that the ancient Greek's virtue ethics can be made, in some way, consistent with Kant's duty ethics (p. 104). This position needs more arguments, of course, than is presented in that book, but it is undeniably revealing, especially to beginners. This book has really done a fine job for those intending to come to terms with the ethics. Being a good book, it needs to be updated and needs to be more concerned with the contemporary issues. We hope to see its revised and enlarged edition come out soon!