Product Description

A guide to the complex subject of ethics explained in clear and entertaining language. This new edition is fully revised and updated. This popular introduction to the subject of ethics poses vital contemporary questions and explores the approach of leading thinkers. The authors take the reader, step by step, through the complex arguments on issues such as animal an human rights, environmental ethics and the morality of war. 'It is a great gift to be able to make philosophy accessible to the general reader. This is a wonderfully clear introduction both to moral philosophy and to contemporary ethical concerns.' David Atkinson, Church Times

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13282 in Books
• Published on: 1999-08-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

About the Author
Dr Peter Vardy is lecturer in Philosophy of Religion at London University's Heythrop College.

Customer Reviews

Read this book!
Vardy is a fantastic lecturer of philosophy and ethics at Heythrop College, University of London and his passion for the subject is evident in this book. He manages to balance detailed theory with and interesting read, addressing up-to-date issues in e.g. medical and sexual ethics, ideal for the A level student who wishes to increase their breadth and depth of knowledge in ethics. Also a good read for anyone interested in reading about ethics and morality but is unsure where to start, no prior knowledge is assumed! I can recommend all of his books-but this especially is an invaluable addition to any thinker's library!

An Excelent Introduction
This book is designed primarily for A Level students in ethics. The Chapters are easily and clearly broken down, and Vardy sensibly divides up the topics into 'Theoretical' and 'Applied Ethics.' All the principle ethical theories are traced, fro, Plato and Aristotle, to Kant, Bentham, and Fletcher. The Applied Ethics includes burning issues of the moment; Abortion and Euthanasia, War, Human Rights, and Environmental Ethics. Each of these chapters is of a similar length and Vardy's great skill is in giving a concise and easy to understand summary of what are often complicated theories. An example would be the chapter on 'Kant and the Moral Law,' where he successfully picks through the jargon and heavy vocabulary of the 'Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals' to give one of the best outlines I have seen.

In short, a highly recommended book for students or the interested reader.

An excellent introduction to ethics.
This is a powerful and easy to comprehend introduction to ethics. Ideal for all who are thinking of or who have started to study ethics. A clear and concise book that challenges the mind.Greatly reccomended!