Morality Play: Case Studies in Ethics

by Jessica Pierce

This collection of case studies is a perfect supplement for ethics courses whether the focus is on theory or applied ethics. Instructors will find that the case studies bring about meaningful discussion of current topics that help students learn how we ought best to live together.

Genres: Philosophy

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 26, 2004

About the author

Bioethicist Jessica Pierce, Ph.D., is the author of the book The Last Walk: Reflections on Our Pets at the Ends of Their Lives (University of Chicago, 2012). Some of the questions she explores are: Do animals have death awareness? Why is euthanasia almost always considered the compassionate end point for our animals, but not for our human companions? Is there ever a good reason to euthanize a healthy dog? Why do people often grieve more deeply for their pets than they do for people? What is animal hospice?

Her other books include Wild Justice: The Moral Lives of Animals, Morality Play, Contemporary Bioethics: A Reader with Cases and The Ethics of Environmentally Responsible Health Care.

Reviews

[Tess McDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love ethics classes and I hate textbooks. Fun though.

[Tyler Paxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this textbook for my ethics class. Overall it was pretty interesting, the case studies were very thought provoking- my only issue is for this to be used as a text book in 2024, it’s a little dated.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the guiding questions are strange and/or do not feel like they effectively get to the heart of the case, so as a teaching aide this book certainly has to be augmented, but it's a really good jumping off point for some discussions.

[Rachael Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Required reading for my ethics class. Had some very thought-provoking cases.

[Mason Cruse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this for my university class. it's a collection of scenarios and questions so that you can debate with others. I think the topics chosen are varied and good for debate.

[Crystal Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read it solely because it was required reading for school . Lol