A Primer on Ethics

This introductory text in ethics by Tibor R. Machan aims to set forth, succinctly and systematically, the basic issues and positions of ethical inquiry with the goal of encouraging discussion, not providing answers.After considering such fundamental questions as What is ethics?

Why study ethics? and How is ethics possible?, Machan familiarizes students with the basics of moral philosophy.

Brief descriptions of various moral theories including hedonism, utilitarianism, altruism, and egoism are accompanied by criticisms and defenses of each theory. Because social and political philosophies are closely intertwined with personal ethics, the author describes various political systems.

A chapter on ethics as a personal concern includes discussions of ethics based on common sense and on religion.

The major challenges to ethics -- ethical subjectivism, ethical relativism, and nihilism -- are described and criticized.

Finally, Machan applies ethics to such pertinent contemporary issues as abortion, advertising, assisted suicide, capital punishment, children's rights and obligations, gambling, the treatment of animals, racial discrimination, and sexual harassment.