Moral Theory

Moral Theory

Overview: What makes an action right or wrong? Why is something good or bad? How does one make moral decision about what is right and good? These are among the main questions in ethics that are the subject of moral theory. This book explores some of the most historically important and currently debated moral theories about the nature of the right and good. After introducing students in the first chapter to some of the main aims and methods of evaluating a moral theory, the remaining chapters in this book are devoted to an examination of various moral theories including the divine command theory, moral relativism, natural law theory, Kant's moral theory, moral pluralism, virtue ethics and moral particularism. Providing an introduction to moral theory that explains and critically examines the theories of such classical moral philosophers as Aristotle, Aquinas, Kant, Bentham, Mill and Ross, this book acquaints students with the work of contemporary moral philosophers.

The Moral Theory of Poststructuralism

Moral Theory

Originally published in 1921, updated in 1932 and re-issued in 1966 with an introduction by Stephan Körner, this book remains a classic introduction to the study of ethics. It clearly explains both the Aristotelian and the Kantian approach to ethical problems, by combining the advantages of a historical and systematic introduction. Much of the book is devoted to Aristotle and Kant, whose moral theories are important and who are influential forces in contemporary moral philosophy.