Morality in Practice

by James P. Sterba

This best-selling reader is topically-organized and covers a number of critical contemporary issues. Providing very broad coverage of topics and opinions, Sterba also draws from current journalism as well as philosophy. Each chapter covers a different area of moral concern with readings that provide alternative views as well as practical applications. Introductions to each section provide background for each issue as well as discussion of the ethical theory behind the readings.

Genres: Philosophy, Textbooks

608 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Jeremy Garber · Rating 3 out of 5]

A useful if somewhat overwhelmingly comprehensive introductory ethics text. Strong points include a strong focus on libertarianism, useful in the current political climate and inclusion of computer ethics, gay and lesbian rights, and a focus on our global responsibility. The text attempts to include relevant documents such as court decisions, but these seem unhelpful and I probably won't have students read them. The editor also includes a few too many of his own writings which are not by far the strongest entries in the book. Useful as a supplemental text to springboard discussion of current ethical issues, but I wouldn't recommend it for the primary or only text for an introductory undergraduate class.