The elements of moral philosophy by james rachels books. John stuart mill, utilitarianism 1861 man does not strive after happiness. In egoism and moral skepticism, james rachels takes aim at egoism and suggests that it is actually a disturbing doctrine. Mar 17, 20 tight and wrong are not to be defined in terms of gods will. James rachels has 29 books on goodreads with 6576 ratings.
Study the elements of moral philosophy discussion and chapter questions and find the elements of moral philosophy study guide questions and answers. The moral implications of darwinism 1991, and the elements of moral philosophy 1993. Elements of moral philosophy edition 8 by stuart rachels. James rachels is university professor at the university of alabama at birmingham. The elements of moral philosophy james rachels details. Jun 16, 2006 the elements of moral philosophy is a fabulous, nontechnical introduction to ethics. It went to its sixth edition in 2009, having been revised by rachels son, stuart rachels. Why does psychological egoism constitute a challenge to morality. I cant think of a better book for a college student who is new to philosophical. James rachels, the distinguished american moral philosopher, was born in columbus, georgia. We all miss james rachels, who was the sole author of this book in its first. Society possesses a rational order where everything has a. Topics covered include famine relief, euthanasia, homosexuality, and the treatment of animals.
The writing is clear and historically informed, the main schools of thought are covered, and rachels doesnt pretend that hes found all the answers to very difficult questions. He says that egoists are forgetting how fundamental sympathy is. He makes the most compelling case ive thus far heard which argues that morality exists independently of religion and divine command. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The elements of moral philosophy rachels ch 4 flashcards. Thirteen thoughtprovoking chapters introduce readers to major moral concepts and theories in philosophy through clear, understandable explanations and compelling discussions. How does rachels characterize the minimum conception of morality. Readingstudy questions for james rachels elements of. The texts versatility allows it to be widely used not only in ethical theory courses, but. Author rachels, james, 19412003 subjects ethics ethics textbooks textbooks. The most interesting chapter of james rachels the elements of moral philosophy deals with the connection between morality and religion, specifically christianity.
The elements of moral philosophy is a fabulous, nontechnical introduction to ethics. Phil8ch4 james rachels the elements of moral philosophy. Elements of moral philosophy by james rachels 4th edition. Among the subjects covered are ethical and simple subjectivism, emotivism, as well as ethical and psychological egoism. Readingstudy questions for james rachels the elements of moral philosophy 5e chapter two in philosophy, an argument is a setgroup of claims in which at least one claim, but usually several claims, in the set provides support for, or reasons to accept the truth of, one of the other claims in the set. Readingstudy questions for james rachels the elements of moral philosophy 5e chapter two in philosophy, an argument is a setgroup of claims in which at least one claim, but usually several claims, in the set provides support for, or reasons to. Readingstudy questions for james rachels the elements of. Dec 07, 2011 elements of moral philosophy by james rachels chapter 2 summary as expressed in elements of moral philosophy by james rachels, different cultures have unique customs and ways of thinking. One may choose to accept it or deny it and if you are to accept it then you are commanded by god. It may be difficult for someone of one culture to comprehend these differences, and this defines cultural relativismdifferent cultures have. Firmly established as the standard text for undergraduate courses in ethics, this concise, lively book combines clear explanations of the main theories of ethics with discussions of interesting examples. The debate over utilitarianism the utilitarian doctrine is that happiness is desirable, and the only thing desirable, as an end. Summary on the elements of moral philosophy by james rachels.
Oct 07, 2014 the elements of moral philosophy by james rachels and stuart rachels is a bestselling text for undergraduate courses in ethics. The motivation for subjectivism people can have disagreements on just about any subject. Essays in moral philosophy edited by stuart rachels 2007 james rachels textbooks. It explains a number of moral theories and topics, including cultural relativism, subjectivism, divine command theory, ethical egoism, social contract theory, utilitarianism, kantian ethics, and deontology. All matters whether can happiness and can sufa account deciding do. Chapter 5 of the elements of moral philosophy ethical egoism 20 terms. Tight and wrong are not to be defined in terms of gods will. The elements of moral philosophy by james rachels alibris. Jun 12, 20 an explanation in catalan about the idea of a social contract from the elements of moral philosophy by james rachels. Summary on the elements of moral philosophy by james rachels pp. In the debate over utilitarianism, stuart rachels usefully canvasses many arguments for.
The text uses realworld examples to highlight points regarding. He says that egoists are forgetting how fundamental sympathy is to the. The elements of moral philosophy, james rachels quizlet. Over his career, rachels wrote 5 books and 85 essays, edited 7 books and gave about 275 professional lectures.
He is the author of moral problems 1990, created for animals. Jan 03, 20 the most interesting chapter of james rachels the elements of moral philosophy deals with the connection between morality and religion, specifically christianity. Rachels bestknown work is the elements of moral philosophy. James rachels author of the elements of moral philosophy. The opinions aim at influencing the social behavior of human beings rachels 3637. The elements of moral philosophy seventh edition james rachels editions. May 23, 2011 rachels mcgrawhill textbook, the elements of moral philosophy, is now in its fourth edition and is easily the bestselling book of its kind. Here is a detailed description of changes i made in the sixth edition of the elements of moral philosophy. We ought to do what there are the weightiest reasons for doing. Rachel expresses different cultures have unique customs and ways of thinking. Books by james rachels author of the elements of moral. Rachels mcgrawhill textbook, the elements of moral philosophy, is now in its fourth edition and is easily the bestselling book of its kind. Buy the elements of moral philosophy by james rachels, stuart rachels isbn. The elements of moral philosophy james rachels haftad.
Griffin readingstudy questions for james rachels elements of moral philosophy, continued chapter five 1. James rachels and stuart rachels the elements of moral philosophy. No general consensus on the definition it is a matter of consulting reason is there the best reason for doing something while. James rachels, the distinguished american moral philosopher, was born in columbus, georgia, and graduated from nearby mercer university in 1962. He taught at the university of richmond, new york university, the university of miami, duke university, and the university of alabama at. Summary the elements of moral philosophy introduces readers to major moral concepts and theories through eloquent explanations and compelling, thoughtprovoking discussions.
Start studying the elements of moral philosophy, james rachels. What are the two strengths of this theory rachels describes. James rachelss most popular book is the elements of moral philosophy. The elements of moral philosophy james rachels, stuart. The divine command theory is theory based on what is right and wrong by gods opinion. The elements of moral philosophy by james rachels books on. The book uses reallife examples in explaining the theories. The elements of moral philosophy 9e by james rachels and stuart rachels is a bestselling text for undergraduate courses in ethics. Rachels focuses first on the divine command theory, which.
An explanation in catalan about the idea of a social contract from the elements of moral philosophy by james rachels. The elements of moral philosophy kindle edition by rachels. Readingstudy questions for james rachels elements of moral. What does the general concept of morality presuppose that psychological egoism threatens. Summary on the elements of moral philosophy by james. The elements of moral philosophy edition 7 by james. The elements of moral philosophy is a 1986 ethics textbook by the philosophers james rachels and stuart rachels. Summary of the idea of a social contract from the elements.
Thomas hobbes, who was arguably the foremost british philosopher of the 17th century, thought. James rachels, the distinguished american moral philosopher, was born in columbus, georgia, graduating from mercer university in macon in 1962. The elements of moral philosophy introduces readers to major moral concepts and theories through eloquent explanations and compelling, thoughtprovoking discussions. The elements of moral philosophy the argument that altruism is selfdefeating. Pdf the elements of moral philosophy romel balinas.
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