Ethics - by Michael Boylan (Paperback)

About the Book

"This book aspires to do three things: (a) first it presents first order metaethical concepts that are necessary in order to confront normative ethical thinkers in their complexity; (b) it presents the reader with three abridged texts by prominent ethical philosophers in the Western Tradition (Aristotle, Kant, and Mill). All three abridged versions are centered around central arguments in their texts. This helps the student focus upon the most important arguments in order to encourage engagement with what are considered to be their most central claims. In addition, Aristotle and Kant are presented in new translations by the editor using language that both fits with contemporary philosophical discussions of the same and language that is more readily accessible to readers in the twenty-first century. This is how primary texts are presented in this text. The third goal of the book (c) is to present narrative case studies that serve to allow the student to apply what they have learned to "real world" examples that they might confront in their daily lives. It has generally though to be good pedagogical methodology to have students engage with primary texts in a line-by-line fashion around the central arguments they are presenting. This text offers three prominent opportunities to do just that regarding authors central to Virtue Ethics, Deontological Ethics, and Utilitarian Ethics. After the chapter for each author (first order metaethics and normative ethics), there are some exercises that are constructed to encourage personal interaction with each author by themselves and in relation to one another. This builds skills for the reader for Part Two of the book as well as Appendix Two (the applications)"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

An innovative introduction to ethics through philosophy and fiction

Ethics: An Introduction with Primary Texts and Short Fictive Narratives offers a distinctive and pedagogically effective approach to ethical inquiry. Fostering a deep understanding of theory and its practical implications, the book begins with an accessible introduction to metaethics, addressing the foundational concepts that ground moral reasoning. It then moves through carefully abridged and newly translated selections from three pillars of Western ethical theory--Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, Kant's Groundwork, and Mill's Utilitarianism. These translations have been curated to highlight the central arguments and transitions within each thinker's system, allowing readers to engage directly and critically with major ethical frameworks.

What sets this volume apart is its innovative integration of the short fictional narratives and poetry of Michael Boylan, richly illustrating the dimensions of moral philosophy. These narratives serve as applied ethics case studies, encouraging readers to bridge theoretical knowledge with real-life decision-making. Structured exercises, study questions, and feedback sections support active learning, while the philosophical treatment of fictive narrative invites reflection on the nature and power of storytelling in ethical discourse.

Authored by a leading scholar with expertise in both ethical theory and creative writing. Ethics: An Introduction with Primary Texts and Short Narratives:

• Enables direct engagement with core arguments of Virtue Ethics, Deontology, and Utilitarianism
• Applies the concept of "fictive narrative philosophy" to stimulate reflective and critical ethical reasoning
• Provides a unified conceptual approach through the Personal and Shared Community Worldview Imperatives
• Employs a structured, progressive framework that integrates metaethics, normative theory, and applied ethics
• Supports interdisciplinary learning with content relevant to philosophy, literature, political science, and law

Ethics: An Introduction with Primary Texts and Short Narratives is ideal for introductory and intermediate undergraduate courses such as Introduction to Ethics, Ethical Theory, and Applied Ethics in degree programs across the humanities, social sciences, business, pre-professional studies, and other fields where ethical literacy is an essential skill.

About the Author

Michael Boylan is Professor of Philosophy at Marymount University. He holds both an M.A. in English Literature and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Chicago. Boylan is the author of 45 books and more than 150 academic articles. His innovative work spans both analytic and literary disciplines, with particular emphasis on ethics, human rights, and narrative philosophy. His fiction and poetry have been published internationally, and his philosophical ideas have been presented at leading universities on five continents.