Moral Literacy: Or How to Do the Right Thing

Rating:
Summary: An adequate introduction to ethical thinking
Review: Dr. McGinn's book is aimed at the philosophical ameature -- he presupposes no familiarity with ethics or philosophical thought beyond that which a normal person picks up in daily life. The book, in its eight chapters, is a quick and easy read. This is a book for the layman who is unaccostomed to thinking as a philosopher; more experienced philosophers will be disappointed by his glossing over of some of the juicier points. "...but that's just philosophy" is a phrase McGinn uses to ignore a question or argument. That's good for keeping focus on real-world applications, but frustrating for someone with more experience.

That's not to say that a philosophically-minded person has no reason to read this book. McGinn's perspectives on abortion, sex, drugs, etc. are certainly worth reading and will stimulate thought in any reader.

McGinn's thinking is heavily influenced by virtue ethics, which disappointed me, but I hear that a lot of people go for that sort of thing.

Rating:
Summary: An adequate introduction to ethical thinking
Review: Dr. McGinn's book is aimed at the philosophical ameature -- he presupposes no familiarity with ethics or philosophical thought beyond that which a normal person picks up in daily life. The book, in its eight chapters, is a quick and easy read. This is a book for the layman who is unaccostomed to thinking as a philosopher; more experienced philosophers will be disappointed by his glossing over of some of the juicier points. "...but that's just philosophy" is a phrase McGinn uses to ignore a question or argument. That's good for keeping focus on real-world applications, but frustrating for someone with more experience.

That's not to say that a philosophically-minded person has no reason to read this book. McGinn's perspectives on abortion, sex, drugs, etc. are certainly worth reading and will stimulate thought in any reader.

McGinn's thinking is heavily influenced by virtue ethics, which disappointed me, but I hear that a lot of people go for that sort of thing.

Rating:
Summary: a great little ethics book!
Review: Short books seem to be a trend these days. This book is good and short, but it's packed full of all sorts of interesting stuff on how to think about morality and reasonably think about important moral issues. The writing style is fun and conversational. Very good!

Rating:
Summary: a great little ethics book!
Review: Short books seem to be a trend these days. This book is good and short, but it's packed full of all sorts of interesting stuff on how to think about morality and reasonably think about important moral issues. The writing style is fun and conversational. Very good!