Hugh LaFollette

Praise for ETHICS _in_ PRACTICE “This new edition of _Ethics in Practice_ offers a cornucopia of 72 expertly-edited texts – both canonical and contemporary – on a wonderfully wide selection of topics in moral theory and applied ethics. Students, teachers, and researchers will find in it a practically endless source of thought-provoking and conversation-sparking readings.”_ —STUART GREEN,_ Distinguished Professor of Law, Rutgers University “Those of us who write and teach in practical ethics owe a debt of gratitude to Hugh LaFollette for assembling this superb collection of important contributions to the core theoretical questions and pressing contemporary issues in moral philosophy.”_ —CHRISTOPHER HEATH WELLMAN,_ Washington University in St. Louis _Ethics in Practice_ has guided students through the ethical dimensions of controversial debates for more than two decades, providing the knowledge required to confront difficult questions in various practical moral contexts. Now in its sixth edition, this field-defining textbook explores a wide range of global, local, and personal ethical issues while presenting the historical basis of key developments in ethical theory. Editor Hugh LaFollette, highly regarded for his contributions in the field of practical ethics, critically integrates ethical theory with discussion of applied examples of economic injustice, discrimination, incarceration, genetic modification, gun control, torture, euthanasia, hate speech, and more. Throughout the book, student-friendly introductions clarify complex concepts and highlight the theoretical and practical aspects of each issue discussed. This new edition is fully revised to reflect the latest empirical evidence and applications, including new and updated case studies, examples, data, and references. Entirely new essays address topics such as punishment, sentencing, assassination, the environment, epistemic vices, pragmatic ethics, biomedical technologies, and abortion in the post-Dobbs era.

Many people are religious. Some are devout, or at least claim to be. Those who are religious vary in their affiliation and sect . Others do not practice any religion. They neither contribute nor participate, except at an occasional marriage or funeral. Still others consider themselves spiritual, albeit not religious. Finally, some reject the idea of religion. I began my life in the first camp and end in the latter. Here I briefly explain why. I do not pretend my arguments best all theistic claims. Still my journey is not unfamiliar, at least to non-theists. I suspect, though, that some of my observations are ones some believers have neither heard not contemplated. Some, I suspect, occasionally worry about some of them, albeit quietly.

Building on the strengths of the highly successful first edition, the extensively updated _Blackwell Guide to Ethical Theory_ presents a complete state-of-the-art survey, written by an international team of leading moral philosophers. A new edition of this successful and highly regarded _Guide_, now reorganized and updated with the addition of significant new material Includes 21 essays written by an international team of leading philosophers Extensive, substantive essays develop the main arguments of all the leading viewpoints in ethical theory Essays new to this edition cover evolution and ethics, capability ethics, virtues and consequences, and the implausibility of virtue ethics.

With incisive and engaging introductions by the editor, _Ethics in Practice_ integrates ethical theory and the discussion of practical moral problems into a text that is ideal for introductory and applied ethics courses. A fully updated and revised edition of this authoritative anthology of classic and contemporary essays covering a wide range of ethical and moral issues Integrates ethical theory with discussions of practical moral problems Provides coverage of ethical issues on familiar topics such as abortion, free speech and affirmative action and contains an entirely new section on war and terrorism Also features essays on economic justice, world hunger and international justice, and obligations to the environment An excellent companion to LaFollette’s text, _The Practice of Ethics_ (2006)

The fourth edition of _Ethics in Practice_ offers an impressive collection of 70 new, revised, and classic essays covering 13 key ethical issues. Essays integrate ethical theory and the discussion of practical moral problems into a text that is ideal for introductory and applied ethics courses. A fully updated and revised edition of this authoritative anthology of classic and contemporary essays covering a wide range of ethical and moral issues Integrates ethical theory with discussions of practical moral problems, and includes three essays on theory written specifically for this volume Nearly half of the essays are written or revised exclusively for this anthology, which now also features eleven essays new to this edition, as well as expanded sections discussing theory, reproductive technologies, war and terrorism, and animals Content allows teachers to discuss discrete practical issues (e.g., euthanasia), focus on the broader grouping of topics (e.g., life and death), or focus on common themes which bridge sections (sexism, moral standing, individualism and community) Section introductions not only outline the basic issues discussed in the essays, but relate them to theoretical perspectives and practical issues discussed elsewhere in the book. Guides students with supporting introductory essays on reading philosophy, theorizing about ethics, writing a philosophy paper, and a supporting web site at www.hughlafollette.com/eip4/

_The new edition of the definitive reference work on ethics, featuring hundreds of new and revised entries_ Unmatched in scholarship and scope, the _International Encyclopedia of Ethics_ is the most comprehensive and authoritative ethics resource of its kind. Available online or as an eleven-volume print set, the _Encyclopedia_ espouses a broad vision of ethics that creates links to many other disciplines, including medicine, technology studies, computer science, business, religion, and law. Entries range in size from shorter definitions and biographies to extended treatments of major topics, and have been blind-reviewed by both the editorial team and an independent review board to ensure exceptional balance and accuracy throughout. Building on its established strengths, the second edition of the _Encyclopedia_ covers topics, movements, arguments, and figures in normative ethics, metaethics, and applied ethics, containing over 850 fully-cross-referenced A-Z entries which emphasize the richness and diversity of the field. New to this edition are more than 300 original and updated entries which add coverage of contemporary topics including voting ethics, artificial intelligence, moral uncertainty, police bias, narcissism, structural injustice, bullying, biopolitics, legal moralism, and intellectual virtue. In its state-of-the-art electronic form, each entry is hyperlinked to other entries and to electronic editions of the renowned Blackwell Companions and Guides ¯ in all, more than 1,500 scholarly articles. The electronic version will continue to receive annual updates, continuing the legacy of the _International Encyclopedia of Ethics_ as the preferred resource for research-active scholars, students, and general readers wanting to engage with ethics in their professional lives. This work is also available as an online resource at www.internationalencyclopediaofethics.com.

Ethical relativism is the thesis that ethical principles or judgments are relative to the individual or culture. When stated so vaguely relativism is embraced by numerous lay persons and a sizeable contingent of philosophers. Other philosophers, however, find the thesis patently false, even wonder how anyone could seriously entertain it. Both factions are on to something, yet both miss something significant as well. Those who whole‐heartedly embrace relativism note salient respects in which ethics is relative, yet erroneously infer that ethical values are noxiously subjective. Those who reject relativism do so because they think ethics is subject to rational scrutiny, that moral views can be correct or incorrect. But in rejecting objectionable features of relativism they overlook significant yet non‐pernicious ways in which ethics is relative. In short, each side harps on the opponent's weaknesses while overlooking its own flaws. That is regrettable. We are not forced to choose between relativism and rationality. We can have both. There are ways in which ethical principles and behavior vary legitimately from culture to culture and individual to individual. That we must recognize. However this in no way suggests we cannot reason about ethics. Rather we should strive for a rational yet relativistic ethic which emphasizes the exercise of cultivated moral judgment rather than the rote application of extant moral rules. Or so I shall argue.

The Oxford Handbooks series is a major new initiative in academic publishing. Each volume offers an authoritative and up-to-date survey of original research in a particular subject area. Specially commissioned essays from leading figures in the discipline give critical examinations of the progress and direction of debates. Oxford Handbooks provide scholars and graduate students with compelling new perspectives upon a wide range of subjects in the humanities and social sciences.The Oxford Handbook of Practical Ethics is a lively and authoritative guide to current thought about ethical issues in all areas of human activity--personal, medical, sexual, social, political, judicial, and international, from the natural world to the world of business. Twenty-eight topics are covered in specially written surveys by leading figures in their fields: each gives an authoritative map of the ethical terrain, explaining how the debate has developed in recent years, engaging critically with the most notable work in the area, and pointing directions for future work. The Handbook will be essential reading, and a fascinating resource of ideas and information, for academics and students across a wide range of disciplines.

This anthology seeks to provide engagingly written, carefully argued philosophical essays on a wide range of important, contemporary moral issues. When I had trouble finding essays that suited those purposes, I commissioned new ones - twelve for this edition. I also invited a number of philosophers to revise their "classic" essays - seven for this edition. Altogether, well over half of the essays herein were written or revised specifically for Ethics in Practice. This edition includes five introductory essays, including a new one entitled "The Basics of Argumentation."

Building on the strengths of the highly successful firstedition, the extensively updated Blackwell Guide to EthicalTheory presents a complete state-of-the-art survey, written byan international team of leading moral philosophers. A new edition of this successful and highly regardedGuide, now reorganized and updated with the addition ofsignificant new material Includes 21 essays written by an international team of leadingphilosophers Extensive, substantive essays develop the main arguments of allthe leading viewpoints in ethical theory Essays new to this edition cover evolution and ethics,capability ethics, virtues and consequences, and the implausibilityof virtue ethics.

The fourth edition of Ethics in Practice offers an impressive collection of 70 new, revised, and classic essays covering 13 key ethical issues. Essays integrate ethical theory and the discussion of practical moral problems into a text that is ideal for introductory and applied ethics courses. A fully updated and revised edition of this authoritative anthology of classic and contemporary essays covering a wide range of ethical and moral issues Integrates ethical theory with discussions of practical moral problems, and includes three essays on theory written specifically for this volume Nearly half of the essays are written or revised exclusively for this anthology, which now also features eleven essays new to this edition, as well as expanded sections discussing theory, reproductive technologies, war and terrorism, and animals Content allows teachers to discuss discrete practical issues (e.g., euthanasia), focus on the broader grouping of topics (e.g., life and death), or focus on common themes which bridge sections (sexism, moral standing, individualism and community) Section introductions not only outline the basic issues discussed in the essays, but relate them to theoretical perspectives and practical issues discussed elsewhere in the book. Guides students with supporting introductory essays on reading philosophy, theorizing about ethics, writing a philosophy paper, and a supporting web site off the author's home page.

Contemporary moral philosophers entertain theories about human nature, explore the nature of value, discuss competing accounts of the best ways to live, ponder the connections between ethics and human psychology, and discuss practical ethical quandaries. Broadly conceived, these are the same issues ancient philosophers discussed. However, the precise questions contemporary philosophers ask, the distinctions we make, the methods we employ, and the knowledge of the world and of human psychology we use in framing and evaluating ethical theories, often only faintly resemble those of our philosophical predecessors.

To varying degrees, many of us think we are “self-made.” Some explicitly state—while others imply—that our accomplishments resulted (almost) entirely from our intelligence, ingenuity, and hard work There is qualified truth in this supposition, even although it is commonly overstated. Others think they are pawns in the chess game of life. However, although some have less control than those more privileged, few are devoid of control. This tandem of judgments is akin to our propensity to make asymmetrical judgments about our actions (and those we like) relative to judgments of those we dislike. We often blame our failures on something other than our ill-advised choices, limited abilities, or lack of persistence. If we receive a poor grade, do not land a desired job or coveted promotion, or are spurned by a potential lover, we often blame another, bad luck, or unfortunate circumstances. We scrounge for ways to excuse or mitigate our responsibility when things turn out badly, while taking credit when actions turn out well. We do not do same for negative traits or actions of those we dislike. The phenomenon I discuss in this paper, however, is more pervasive than blame-deflection or inappropriate pride. Even some who think the notion of the “self-made person” borders on a straw person, also think that we have considerable direct control of our lives. We do not. Although we are not leaves tossed by winds of circumstance, we are shaped by complex causal chains largely beyond our control. After seeing this broadly and in detail, we understand the limits on control and why it is not direct By understanding that and how we are shaped by cultures, governments, businesses, and others, we can isolate levers that help us maximize control we do have.