SOCIAL AND PERSONAL ETHICS offers you a sound introduction to ethical theory and issues with via accessible readings on many of the most debated topics of our times?including drug use, hostage interrogation, war, abortion, and capital punishment, among others. Author William Shaw begins with a preliminary introduction to ethical theory that assumes no previous formal philosophy instruction and then moves on to explore a variety of real-world ethical issues. In all, the book is composed of 51 classic and contemporary articles (ten of which are new to this edition) as well as three cases studies. And, to ensure that you?ll find the text as accessible as it is relevant, every article in this edition was edited for readability?resulting in the most student-friendly edition to date.

Preface.

PART I: ETHICAL THEORY.

1. An Introduction to Ethics. The Nature of Morality. Normative Theories of Ethics.

2. Ethical Relativism. James Rachels, "The Challenge of Cultural Relativism."

3. Four Rival Ethical Perspectives. Aristotle, "Happiness, Function, and Virtue." Immanuel Kant, "Good Will, Duty, and the Categorical Imperative." John Stuart Mill, "Utilitarianism." W. D. Ross, "What Makes Right Acts Right?"

PART II: ISSUES IN APPLIED ETHICS.

4. Suicide and Euthanasia. Richard B. Brandt, "The Morality and Rationality of Suicide." Dan W. Brock, "Voluntary Active Euthanasia." Daniel Callahan, "When Self-Determination Runs Amok." John Hardwig, "Is There a Duty to Die?"

5. Abortion. John T. Noonan, "An Almost Absolute Value in History." Mary Anne Warren, "The Moral Status of Abortion." Don Marquis, "An Argument That Abortion is Wrong." Judith Jarvis Thomson, "A Defense of Abortion." Rosalind Hursthouse, "Virtue Theory and Abortion."

6. Animals, Vegetarianism, and Environmental Ethics. Peter Singer, "The Place of Nonhumans in Environmental Issues." Tibor R. Machan, "Do Animals Have Rights?" Mylan J. Engel, Jr., "Why You are Committed to the Immorality of Eating Meat." R. M. Hare, "Why I Am a Demi-Vegetarian." Peter Singer, "Reply to Hare." Holmes Rolston III, "Respect for Life." Peter Singer, "Reply to Rolston."

7. Liberty, Paternalism, and Freedom of Expression. John Stuart Mill, "On Liberty." Gerald Dworkin, "Paternalism." David Boaz, "A Drug Free America ? or a Free America?" U. S. Drug Enforcement Agency, "Speaking Out Against Drug Legalization." Charles R. Lawrence III, "If He Hollers Let Him Go: Regulating Racist Speech."

8. Pornography and Sexual Morality. Helen E. Longino, "Pornography, Oppression, and Freedom." Ellen Willis, "Feminism, Moralism, and Pornography." Nicholas Dixon, "Alcohol and Rape." John Corvino, "Why Shouldn't Tommy and Jim Have Sex?" Michael Pakaluk, "Homosexuality, Gay Marriage, and the Common Good." Mike W. Martin, "Adultery and Fidelity."

9. Gun Control. Daniel D. Polsby, "The False Promise of Gun Control." Nicholas Dixon, "Handguns and Violent Crime." Michael Huemer, "Is There a Right to Own a Gun?"

10. Punishment and the Death Penalty. William H. Shaw, "Punishment and the Criminal Justice System." Ernest van den Haag, "The Ultimate Punishment: A Defense." Jeffrey H. Reiman, "Justice, Civilization, and the Death Penalty." U. S. Supreme Court, Atkins v. Virginia.

11. The Ethics of War and the Response to Terrorism. Douglas P. Lackey, "Pacifism." R. M. Hare, "Loyalty and Obedience." J. Joseph Miller, "Jus ad Bellum and an Officer's Moral Obligation: Ignorance, the Constitution, and Iraq." Michael Ignatieff, "Human Rights, the Laws of War, and Terrorism." David Luban, "Liberalism, Torture, and the Ticking Bomb."

12. Affirmative Action. Richard A. Wasserstrom, "One Way to Understand and Defend Programs of Preferential Treatment." Louis P. Pojman, "The Case Against Affirmative Action." T. Alexander Aleinikoff, "A Case for Race Consciousness." U.S. Supreme Court, "The University of Michigan Affirmative Action Cases."

13. Economic Justice. Peter Singer, "Rich and Poor." Robert N. Van Wyk, "World Hunger and the Extent of Our Positive Duties." Ian Maitland, "In Defense of International Sweatshops." John Orlando, "The Ethics of Corporate Downsizing." John Isbister, "Welfare and Social Justice." D.W. Haslett, "Is Inheritance Justified?" U.S. Supreme Court, Kelo v. City of New London.

14. Ethics in Business. Michael J. Phillips, "The Inconclusive Case Against Manipulative Advertising." Thomas L. Carson, "The Ethics of Sales." Michael Davis, "Some Paradoxes of Whistleblowing." Joseph R. DesJardins and Ronald Duska, "Drug Testing in Employment."