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Cover

Ethics: A Very Short Introduction

Second Edition

Simon Blackburn

Publication Date - April 2021

ISBN: 9780198868101

128 pages
Paperback
6.9 x 4.4 inches

In Stock

Description

Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring

Our self-image as moral, well-behaved creatures is dogged by scepticism, relativism, hypocrisy, and nihilism, and by the fear that in a Godless world science has unmasked us as creatures fated by our genes to be selfish and tribalistic, or competitive and aggressive. Here, Simon Blackburn tackles the major moral questions surrounding birth, death, happiness, desire, and freedom, showing us how we should think about the meaning of life, and why we should mistrust the soundbite-sized absolutes that often dominate moral debates.

This second edition of the Very Short Introduction on Ethics has revised and updated aspects of the original to reflect changing times and mores. It highlights the importance of an understanding of approaches to ethics and its foundations, confronted as we are with a fluid and uncertain world of eroding trust, swirling conspiracy theories, and a dismaying loss of respect in public discourse.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

New to this Edition

  • The new edition takes account of the changes in thinking about ethics wrought by fake news, post-truth worries, and the proliferation of bubble on the web
  • Includes a fully revised final chapter on Decency, Civility, and Trust in current times, focussing on the rise of greed, narcissism, and contempt for truth
  • Revises the discussion of evolutionary theory to reflect ongoing thought in this field

Features

  • Discusses the major moral questions in key areas such as birth, death, desire, and the meaning of life
  • Explores different approaches to ethics and its foundations
  • Considers the risks of trusting the soundbite-sized absolutes that often dominate moral debates
  • Part of the Very Short Introductions series - over ten million copies sold worldwide

About the Author(s)

Simon Blackburn, Professor Emeritus, Cambridge University

Simon Blackburn was Bertrand Russell Professor of Philosophy at the University of Cambridge and remains a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. He is a Visiting Professor at the New College of the Humanities. His books include Think (OUP, 1999); Practical Tortoise Raising (OUP, 210); Truth, (Profile Books, 2017); and On Truth (OUP, 2018).

Table of Contents

    Preface to second edition
    Introduction
    1. Seven threats to thinking about ethics
    2. Foundations
    3. Some ethical ideas
    References
    Further Reading
    Index

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