Ethical Theory (Third Edition)

Mel Thompson

Rating:

This is a textbook for AS and A students on the increasingly popular subject of ethics.  It begins with a general introduction to the topic.  It then charts a chronological course through the history of ethics up till the present day.  Each chapter follows the same pattern with checklists, key questions, profiles of key individuals, diagrams and a revision checklist.  The book ends with a conclusion, suggestions for further reading, a glossary and timeline of philosophers.  I found it to be an excellent introduction to ethics and particularly liked the way the author has attempted to present a coherent account of ethical thinking through time (diachronically).  If students can be persuaded to start at the beginning and proceed page by page, they would construct a firm foundation.  There is further reading at the end of the book, but each chapter would benefit from a section of short further reading.  The chapter on religion and morality is the most unsatisfactory, largely because it considers six religions, but can give them less than a page each!  

Reviewer: Penny Thompson, Retired Independent Researcher, Sefton, Merseyside

Review posted on: 6 November 2008

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