Ethics and Experience

Moral Theory from Just War to Abortion

By (author) Lloyd Steffen

Publication date:

09 August 2012

Length of book:

260 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

ISBN-13: 9781442216549

Ethics and Experience introduces students to the key topics in moral theory through provocative moral issues—just war, abortion, physician assisted suicide, the death penalty and more. Steffen helps students bridge the gap between ethical theory and experience through developing a “common agreement” ethical system that is applicable to a variety of moral problems and issues with clear language and real-life examples.

Preface

Introduction

Part I. Ethics – The Ethic Behind Just War
Chapter One: Just War as an Ethic
Chapter Two: Non-Violent Resistance as a Use of Force
Chapter Three: The Hybrid Ethic and Its Application
Chapter Four: Using the “Common Agreement” Ethic: A Critical Evaluation

Part II. Experience – The Ethic beyond Just War
Chapter Five: The Ethics of Physician Assisted Suicide
Chapter Six: The Ethics of Patient Nontreatment
Chapter Seven: The Ethics of Execution and Just Punishment
Chapter Eight: The Ethics of Abortion: The Question of Innocence
Chapter Nine:The Ethics of War: The Question of Innocence

Notes
Bibliography
Index

Lloyd Steffen's reinterpretation and creative application of the just war theory is provocative and insightful. Steffen provides a comprehensive account of the moral ideas behind the just war tradition, especially the idea that force ordinarily ought to be avoided. He applies these ideas in surprising ways to a variety of issues: from nonviolent activism, adultery, and lying to suicide, the death penalty, and abortion. This book should be read by everyone who is interested in finding ways to resolve the dilemmas of applied ethics.