Eight Theories of Ethics - Softcover

..."a fine job of fleshing out some of the major ethical theories and of highlighting those that are often neglected by other writers in the field....very accessible style and I am sure that undergraduates and scholars alike will benefit from it." -Jason Hill, DePaul University

Is it possible to study ethics objectively, or are moral judgements inevitably subjective? Are ancient theories of ethics of any contemporary relevance? Which ethical theory offers the most convincing explanation of how best to live one's life?

Eight Theories of Ethics is a comprehensive introduction to the theories of ethics encountered by first-time students. Gordon Graham introduces the fundamental concepts that underpin ethics, such as relativism and objectivity, and then devotes his attention to each of the eight major theories of ethics:

* egoism
* hedonism
* naturalism and virtue theory
* existentialism
* Kantianism
* utilitarianism
* contractualism
* religion.

Throughout the book, Gordon Graham draws on examples from great moral philosophers such as Aristotle, Kant and Mill, and also from contemporary debates over human nature, the environment and citizenship.

Eight Theories of Ethics is written in an engaging and student-friendly style, with detailed suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter - including original sources and contemporary discussions. It is ideal for anyone coming to this area of philosophy for the first time, and for those studying ethics in related disciplines such as politics, law, nursing and medicine.