Ethics 101
There are instances when the morality of an act seems clear-cut and obvious, but not always (or even rarely). Why an action is right or wrong is frequently a challenging question. Even when we believe we know what we ought to do in a circumstance, explaining our reasons for our judgement can still be very difficult.
You do not have to be an ethics scholar, but it is important to consider the reasons behind your actions. There are many starting positions from which to consider ethics. The Library is an excellent place to begin exploring the philosophy of ethics and challenging yourself to think about its important questions.
What is right and wrong? And why?
"Ethics: A History of Moral Thought," by Peter Kreeft
This course looks at our history as ethical beings. We'll travel into the very heart of mankind's greatest philosophical dilemmas - to the origins of our moral values and the problem of ethics. Are ethics universal, absolute and unchanging - or are they culturally relative, changing, and man-made? Furthermore, we'll delve into the creation of ethical systems - not just for ourselves, but also for society at large. And we will consider the ongoing process of establishing ethical frameworks for society.
"Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?" by Michael J. Sandel
Michael J. Sandel’s “Justice” course is one of the most popular and influential at Harvard. This book is a searching, lyrical exploration of the meaning of justice, one that invites readers of all political persuasions to consider familiar controversies in fresh and illuminating ways.
"Ethics for Everyone: How to Increase Your Moral Intelligence," by Arthur Dobrin
In this book, you'll find out how well you make moral choices and learn how to increase your ability to understand and analyze ethical dilemmas. This sensible, practical guide provides thoughtful, and sometimes surprising, answers to tough real-world questions.
"The Moral Arc: How Science and Reason Lead Humanity Toward Truth Justice and Freedom," by Michael Shermer
From Galileo and Newton to Thomas Hobbes and Martin Luther King, Jr., thinkers throughout history have consciously employed scientific techniques to better understand the non-physical world. In "The Moral Arc," Shermer will explain how abstract reasoning, rationality, empiricism, skepticism--scientific ways of thinking--have profoundly changed the way we perceive morality and, indeed, move us ever closer to a more just world.
"The Basic Works of Aristotle," edited by Richard McKeon
Aristotle’s works have shaped Western thought, science, and religion for nearly two thousand years. Included in this anthology is Aristotle's "Nicomachean Ethics."
"Can Animals be Moral?" by Mark Rowlands
Mark Rowlands examines the reasoning of philosophers and scientists on this question--ranging from Aristotle and Kant to Hume and Darwin.
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