Moral Issues

by Jan Narveson (Editor)

Though this moderately-priced anthology dates back to 1983, its lively articles are as relevant as ever. Topics covered include suicide, euthanasia, war, punishment, world hunger, abortion, sexual relations, equality, affirmative action, and future generations.

464 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Jan Narveson is a professor of philosophy at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. He is the author of a couple hundred papers in philosophical periodicals and anthologies, mainly on moral and political theory and practice, and of several books. He is on the editorial boards of many philosophic journals, is a frequent contributor to conferences in many countries, was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1989, and was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2003. He is an anarcho-capitalist and contractarian.

Reviews

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. I'll admit I haven't read it entirely, but the time I spent with it was well worth it. Unfortunately I lent it out and never got it back. I'll be glad to find another copy someday.

The book presents a number of familiar " Moral Issues " from opposing points of view. So for example you can read a For and then an Against about euthanasia, abortion, adultery, inequality, etc.

The authors are not responding directly to the essay in opposition to them but are chosen from their side of the debate as excellent representatives. Nevertheless, they seem to anticipate objections and are familiar with popular opposing arguments. The essays have a kind of courtroom drama to them as the essayists make their case.

Highly recommended. I have no academic background in philosophy or really anything else and still found this accessible and even entertaining. I'll go as far as to say you will feel smarter after your time with this book.