Ethics & Moral Philosophy

Moral Theory: An Introduction

Name: Moral Theory: An Introduction
Author: Mark Timmons
ISBN: 9780742564923

by Mark Timmons

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Overview

What makes an action right or wrong? Why is something good or bad? How does one make moral decision about what is right and good? These are among the main questions in ethics that are the subject of moral theory. This book explores some of the most historically important and currently debated moral theories about the nature of the right and good. After introducing students in the first chapter to some of the main aims and methods of evaluating a moral theory, the remaining chapters in this book are devoted to an examination of various moral theories including the divine command theory, moral relativism, natural law theory, Kant's moral theory, moral pluralism, virtue ethics and moral particularism. Providing an introduction to moral theory that explains and critically examines the theories of such classical moral philosophers as Aristotle, Aquinas, Kant, Bentham, Mill and Ross, this book acquaints students with the work of contemporary moral philosophers.

About the Author, Mark Timmons

Mark Timmons is professor of philosophy at the University of Arizona. He has published extensively on topics in moral theory, metaethics, and Kant’s ethics. He is author of Morality without Foundations (1999) and editor of Oxford Studies in Normative Ethics.

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Editorials

Holly Smith

Mark Timmons’ Moral Theory: An Introduction provides sympathetic examinations of a comprehensive range of ethical theories, balanced by judicious critical arguments. Adding a valuable chapter on ethical egoism, the second edition updates the discussions and extremely useful lists of further readings. The addition of “empirical readings” is especially welcome. Clearly written and peppered with contemporary examples, Moral Theory is an excellent resource for students and instructors alike.

Brad Hooker

The second edition of the textbook by Mark Timmons on normative ethics constitutes a significant improvement on what was already a superb achievement. Timmons discusses the basic ideas and new developments in moral theory, and he presents arguments in such a clear fashion that advanced undergraduates will love the text. This edition is the best upper-level textbook on moral theory of any I have seen.

Booknews

Basing the contents on lectures delivered over the years in upper- level undergraduate courses, Timmons (philosophy, U. of Memphis) presents an intermediate-level introduction to moral theory<-->more complex than what is offered in introductory ethics texts, but more accessible than advanced research texts. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)