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Elements in Ethics Series

This series offers an extensive overview of major figures, theories, and concepts in the field of ethics. Each entry acquaints readers with the main aspects of its topic, while also articulating the author’s distinctive viewpoint. It is designed to engage both students and seasoned researchers seeking a nuanced understanding of ethical thought.

Aquinas's Ethics
Utilitarianism
Epistemology and Methodology in Ethics
Contractarianism
CONTRACTUALISM

Recommended Reading Order

  • CONTRACTUALISM

    • 75 pages
    • 3 hours of reading
    3.4(3)Add rating

    This Element begins by describing T.M. Scanlon's contractualism according to which an action is right when it is authorised by the moral principles no one could reasonably reject. This view has argued to have implausible consequences with regards to how different-sized groups, non-human animals, and cognitively limited human beings should be treated. It has also been accused of being theoretically redundant and unable to vindicate the so-called deontic distinctions. I then distinguish between the general contractualist framework and Scanlon's version of contractualism. I explain how the general framework enables us to formulate many other versions of contractualism some of which can already be found in the literature. Understanding contractualism in this new way enables us both to understand the structural similarities and differences between different versions of contractualism and also to see the different objections to contractualism as internal debates about which version of contractualism is correct.

    CONTRACTUALISM

  • Contractarianism

    • 84 pages
    • 3 hours of reading

    A systematic defense of moral contractarianism as a distinct approach to the social contract with particular relevance for morally diverse societies. It elucidates, in comparison to moral conventionalism and moral contractualism, the distinct features of moral contractarianism, its scope, and conceptual and practical challenges.

    Contractarianism

  • Epistemology and Methodology in Ethics

    • 75 pages
    • 3 hours of reading
    2.0(1)Add rating

    Topics include skeptical challenges in ethics, epistemic arguments in metaethics, what (if anything) is epistemically distinctive of the ethical. Also considered are methodological questions in ethics, including questions about which ethical concepts we should investigate, and what our goals should be in ethical inquiry.

    Epistemology and Methodology in Ethics

  • Utilitarianism

    • 74 pages
    • 3 hours of reading
    3.8(5)Add rating

    Utilitarianism's central commitment is to the promotion of well-being, impartially considered. If scarce resources should be directed where they will best promote well-being, and if theoretical attention is a scarce resource, then moral theorists should focus on topics that are most important to the future promotion of well-being.

    Utilitarianism

  • Aquinas's Ethics

    • 75 pages
    • 3 hours of reading
    3.0(2)Add rating

    An account of Thomas Aquinas's moral philosophy, emphasizing the intrinsic connection between happiness and the human good, human virtue, and the precepts of practical reason. Humans achieve happiness by performing good human acts, which are produced by the intellect and the will, and perfected by the relevant virtues.

    Aquinas's Ethics