Customer Reviews

Thinking Critically About Ethical Issues

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've used this textbook as a supplement or secondary text for teaching ethics at a community college. It has been a godsend for bringing application and discussion into the classroom. It is important to introduce students to the history of ethics and Meta-ethical theory, but it is more important to reveal weaknesses in the application of these theories and help students develop a critical method for making good ethical decisions. It is this later emphasis that makes this little book stand out. The author has done an excellent job of simplifying the categories of Ethics, but even a better job of putting together ethical dilemmas (Inquiries)for applying critical thinking. I'll be using this text again. Although a great book in the secular classroom,this text would be good to use in a Christian School as a supplement to the Bible in teaching Biblical or Christian Ethics. [...]

A quick run-down for the lazy:
- The overview of philosophical thinkers is absurdly short.
- The history of ethics is also woefully abrubt.
+ it's fairly easy to read.
- lacks depth of analysis, contains strawman argument, circular logic, and other logical flaws.
- author insists on existance absolutes
- author frequently mixes up the meanings of ethics and morality.

Ruggiero focuses on pro-western attitudes, Christians, and christian apologists in the formation of his theories. He quotes studies out of context and uses rediculous extremes to underline 'grey areas' of argument. Often times the 'challenges' or questions in his text are flatly one sided or all too easy to answer.

I view this as a high school level text, wholly inadequate for college use, and decidedly biased.

Nevertheless, it's a good starting point for someone young and curious about ethics. I don't think it ever hurts to consider viewpoints, even faulty ones. Though I agree with much of the thrust of ethical position/slant of the text, I bridle at the abuse of logic and the strained conclusions.

Always be on the lookout for strawman argument, argument by anecdote, and appeal to emotions. These are huge logical flaws which destroy any argument no matter how well intended.

Shipped on time, was in the condition promised, I would buy from this vendor again.

Very well written for the established learner - could prove frustrating for novice students. Many case studies with real world events to allow interactive exchange btw students - but requires professorial oversight to get beyond group think, interpersonal dynamics, and subjective bias.

The review of this book is great. I highly recommend this book to everyone that likes to read. There are a lot of information about moral and ethical behavior. Reading the assignments and actually reviewing some of the cases listed is crtically thinking. To learn more about Ethics or Morals, I do recommend it. It will open your eyes and your mind.........

Reading this book was a great learning experience. I learned much about the way people think and make ethical decisions. I would recommend this book to anyone taking a syc course. Thanks Amazon, you saved me a bundle.

This is a very interesting book to read for a class or not. It makes you think in various directions regarding issues that you may not think about otherwise. A good discussion starter as well.