Doing ethics 5th edition pdf

D O I N G E T H I C S

‘’ Moral Reasoning and Contemporary Issues

Fourth Edition

Lewis Vaughn

BW. W. NORTON & COMPANY Independent and Employee-Owned New York . London

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C O N T E N T S

‘’ P R E F A C E xvi i

PART 1: FUNDAMENTALS

CHAPTER 1 Ethics and the Examined Life 3

The Ethical Landscape 5

The Elements of Ethics 6

The Preeminence of Reason 6

QUICK REVIEW 7

The Universal Perspective 7

The Principle of Impartiality 8

The Dominance of Moral Norms 8

Religion and Morality 8

Believers Need Moral Reasoning 9

When Conflicts Arise, Ethics Steps In 9

CRITICAL THOUGHT: ETHICS, RELIGION, AND TOUGH MORAL ISSUES 10

Moral Philosophy Enables Productive Discourse 10

Summary 12

Exercises: Review Questions / Discussion Questions 12

READINGS

from What Is the Socratic Method? by Christopher Phillips 13

from The Euthyphro by Plato 16

CHAPTER 2 Subjectivism, Relativism, and Emotivism 20

Subjective Relativism 21

QUICK REVIEW 21

JUDGE NOT? 22

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Cultural Relativism 23

CRITICAL THOUGHT: “FEMALE CIRCUMCISION” AND CULTURAL RELATIVISM 24

Emotivism 28

Summary 30

Exercises: Review Questions / Discussion Questions 31

READINGS

from Anthropology and the Abnormal by Ruth Benedict 32

Trying Out One’s New Sword by Mary Midgley 35

PART 2: MORAL REASONING

CHAPTER 3 Evaluating Moral Arguments 41

Claims and Arguments 41

Arguments Good and Bad 43

CRITICAL THOUGHT: THE MORALITY OF CRITICAL THINKING 44

Implied Premises 47

QUICK REVIEW 47

Deconstructing Arguments 48

Moral Statements and Arguments 51

Testing Moral Premises 53

Assessing Nonmoral Premises 55

QUICK REVIEW 55

Avoiding Bad Arguments 56

Begging the Question 56

Equivocation 56

Appeal to Authority 57

Slippery Slope 57

APPEAL TO EMOTION 57

Faulty Analogy 58

Appeal to Ignorance 58

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Straw Man 59

Appeal to the Person 59

Hasty Generalization 59

QUICK REVIEW 60

Writing and Speaking about Moral Issues 60

Summary 62

Exercises: Review Questions / Discussion Questions / Argument Exercises 62

PART 3: THEORIES OF MORALITY

CHAPTER 4 The Power of Moral Theories 67

Theories of Right and Wrong 67

MORAL THEORIES VERSUS MORAL CODES 68

Major Theories 69

Consequentialist Theories 69

Nonconsequentialist Theories 70

QUICK REVIEW 71

Evaluating Theories 72

Criterion 1: Consistency with Considered Judgments 73

CONSIDERED MORAL JUDGMENTS 73

Criterion 2: Consistency with Our Moral Experiences 74

CRITICAL THOUGHT: A 100 PERCENT ALL-NATURAL THEORY 74

Criterion 3: Usefulness in Moral Problem Solving 75

QUICK REVIEW 75

Summary 76

Exercises: Review Questions / Discussion Questions 76

CHAPTER 5 CONSEQUENTIALIST THEORIES: MAXIMIZE THE GOOD 78

Ethical Egoism 78

Applying the Theory 79

Evaluating the Theory 80

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CAN ETHICAL EGOISM BE ADVOCATED? 82

QUICK REVIEW 84

Utilitarianism 84

Applying the Theory 88

PETER SINGER, UTILITARIAN 88

QUICK REVIEW 89

Evaluating the Theory 89

Learning from Utilitarianism 93

CRITICAL THOUGHT: CROSS-SPECIES TRANSPLANTS: WHAT WOULD A UTILITARIAN DO? 94

Summary 94

Exercises: Review Questions / Discussion Questions 95

READING

from Utilitarianism by John Stuart Mill 96

CHAPTER 6 Nonconsequentialist Theories: Do Your Duty 102

Kant’s Ethics 102

CRITICAL THOUGHT: SIZING UP THE GOLDEN RULE 104

Applying the Theory 106

Evaluating the Theory 106

THE KANTIAN VIEW OF PUNISHMENT 107

Learning from Kant’s Theory 109

Natural Law Theory 109

Applying the Theory 111

QUICK REVIEW 111

CRITICAL THOUGHT: DOUBLE EFFECT AND THE “TROLLEY PROBLEM” 112

Evaluating the Theory 113

Learning from Natural Law 114

Summary 114

Exercises: Review Questions / Discussion Questions 115

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READINGS

from Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals by Immanuel Kant 116

from Summa Theologica by St. Thomas Aquinas 125

CHAPTER 7 Virtue Ethics: Be a Good Person 136

The Ethics of Virtue 136

CRITICAL THOUGHT: LEARNING VIRTUES IN THE CLASSROOM 137

Virtue in Action 138

Evaluating Virtue Ethics 138

CRITICAL THOUGHT: WARRIOR VIRTUES AND MORAL DISAGREEMENTS 140

The Ethics of Care 141

QUICK REVIEW 141

Learning from Virtue Ethics 141

FEMINIST ETHICS 142

Summary 143

Exercises: Review Questions / Discussion Questions 144

READINGS

from Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle 145

The Need for More Than Justice by Annette C. Baier 153

PART 4: ETHICAL ISSUES

CHAPTER 8 Abortion 163

Issue File: Background 163

ABORTION IN THE UNITED STATES: FACTS AND FIGURES 164

MAJORITY OPINION IN ROE V. WADE 166

Moral Theories 166

ABORTION AND THE SCRIPTURES 168

QUICK REVIEW 169

Moral Arguments 169

CRITICAL THOUGHT: LATE-TERM ABORTIONS 170

Summary 174

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READINGS

A Defense of Abortion by Judith Jarvis Thomson 175

On the Moral and Legal Status of Abortion by Mary Anne Warren 185

Why Abortion Is Immoral by Don Marquis 194

Virtue Theory and Abortion by Rosalind Hursthouse 205

Cases for Analysis 211

CHAPTER 9 Altering Genes and Cloning Humans 213

Issue File: Background 213

GENE THERAPY: SOME RECENT DEVELOPMENTS 216

Moral Theories 218

CRITICAL THOUGHT: LONGER LIFE THROUGH GENE THERAPY? 219

Moral Arguments 219

QUICK REVIEW 221

Summary 221

READINGS

Genetic Enhancement by Walter Glannon 222

Is Gene Therapy a Form of Eugenics? by John Harris 226

The Wisdom of Repugnance by Leon R. Kass 232

Cloning Human Beings: An Assessment of the Ethical Issues Pro and Con by Dan W. Brock 249

Cases for Analysis 260

CHAPTER 10 Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide 263

THE DEATH OF KAREN ANN QUINLAN 264

Issue File: Background 264

LANDMARK COURT RULINGS 266

QUICK REVIEW 267

Moral Theories 267

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CRITICAL THOUGHT: DR. KEVORKIAN AND PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE 269

Moral Arguments 269

PUBLIC OPINION AND EUTHANASIA 271

Summary 273

READINGS

Active and Passive Euthanasia by James Rachels 274

The Wrongfulness of Euthanasia by J. Gay-Williams 278

From Voluntary Active Euthanasia by Dan W. Brock 281

Euthanasia by Philippa Foot 289

Killing and Allowing to Die by Daniel Callahan 304

Cases for Analysis 306

CHAPTER 11 Capital Punishment 310

Issue File: Background 310

Moral Theories 312

CRITICAL THOUGHT: MEDICATED FOR THE DEATH PENALTY 313

QUICK REVIEW 315

CRITICAL THOUGHT: BOTCHED EXECUTIONS 316

Moral Arguments 318

CRITICAL THOUGHT: DIFFERENT CASES, SAME PUNISHMENT 319

Summary 320

READINGS

The Ultimate Punishment: A Defense by Ernest van den Haag 321

from Justice, Civilization, and the Death Penalty: Answering van den Haag by Jeffrey H. Reiman 326

Against the Death Penalty: The Minimal Invasion Argument by Hugo Adam Bedau 332

In Defense of the Death Penalty by Louis P. Pojman 337

Cases for Analysis 347

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CHAPTER 12 Drug Use, Harm, and Personal Liberty 350

Issue File: Background 351

DIVERSE VIEWS IN THE UNITED STATES ON USING MARIJUANA 352

Moral Theories 353

CRITICAL THOUGHT: DOES LEGALIZING MEDICAL MARIJUANA ENCOURAGE USE AMONG TEENAGERS? 354

Moral Arguments 354

QUICK REVIEW 356

Summary 357

READINGS

The Ethics of Addiction by Thomas Szasz 357

The Fallacy of the “Hijacked Brain” by Peg O’Connor 366

Against the Legalization of Drugs by James Q. Wilson 368

Cases for Analysis 377

CHAPTER 13 Sexual Morality 380

Issue File: Background 380

VITAL STATS: SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 381

Moral Theories 382

Moral Arguments 383

VITAL STATS: SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS 384

QUICK REVIEW 385

Summary 386

READINGS

Plain Sex by Alan H. Goldman 386

Sexual Morality by Roger Scruton 395

Sexual Perversion by Thomas Nagel 402

Feminists against the First Amendment by Wendy Kaminer 409

“The Price We Pay?”: Pornography and Harm by Susan J. Brison 416

Cases for Analysis 426

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CHAPTER 14 Same-Sex Marriage 429

Issue File: Background 429

Moral Theories 430

OPINION POLLS: SAME-SEX MARRIAGE 431

VITAL STATS: GAYS, LESBIANS, AND SAME-SEX COUPLES 432

Moral Arguments 432

QUICK REVIEW 433

Summary 433

READINGS

On Gay Rights by Richard D. Mohr 434

What Marriage Is For: Children Need Mothers and Fathers by Maggie Gallagher 442

Here Comes the Groom: A (Conservative) Case for Gay Marriage by Andrew Sullivan 446

Cases for Analysis 449

CHAPTER 15 Environmental Ethics 451

Issue File: Background 451

SOME MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES 454

Moral Theories 456

QUICK REVIEW 456

CRITICAL THOUGHT: SHOULD PANDAS PAY THE PRICE? 457

Moral Arguments 458

Summary 460

READINGS

People or Penguins by William F. Baxter 461

The Ethics of Respect for Nature by Paul W. Taylor 465

Are All Species Equal? by David Schmidtz 480

The Land Ethic by Aldo Leopold 488

Cases for Analysis 492

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CHAPTER 16 Animal Rights 495

Issue File: Background 496

CRITICAL THOUGHT: SHOULD WE ABOLISH DOG RACING? 498

Moral Theories 499

CRITICAL THOUGHT: SHOULD WE EXPERIMENT ON ORPHANED BABIES? 501

QUICK REVIEW 502

Moral Arguments 502

Summary 504

READINGS

All Animals Are Equal by Peter Singer 505

The Case for Animal Rights by Tom Regan 515

Difficulties with the Strong Animal Rights Position by Mary Anne Warren 522

Speciesism and the Idea of Equality by Bonnie Steinbock 528

Cases for Analysis 535

CHAPTER 17 Political Violence: War, Terrorism, and Torture 539

Issue File: Background 539

CRITICAL THOUGHT: PREEMPTIVE WAR ON IRAQ 542

CRITICAL THOUGHT: TERRORISTS OR FREEDOM FIGHTERS? 549

Moral Theories 550

Moral Arguments 552

QUICK REVIEW 556

Summary 557

READINGS

Reconciling Pacifists and Just War Theorists by James P. Sterba 558

Against “Realism” by Michael Walzer 566

Can Terrorism Be Morally Justified? by Stephen Nathanson 577

The Case for Torturing the Ticking Bomb Terrorist by Alan M. Dershowitz 585

Cases for Analysis 594

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CHAPTER 18 Equality and Affirmative Action 597

Issue File: Background 597

CRITICAL THOUGHT: ARE LEGACIES RACIST? 599

Moral Theories 600

CRITICAL THOUGHT: ARE WHITES-ONLY SCHOLARSHIPS UNJUST? 601

QUICK REVIEW 602

Moral Arguments 603

Summary 605

READINGS

Reverse Discrimination as Unjustified by Lisa H. Newton 606

The Case against Affirmative Action by Louis P. Pojman 609

Affirmative Action and Quotas by Richard A. Wasserstrom 622

In Defense of Affirmative Action by Tom L. Beauchamp 625

Cases for Analysis 634

CHAPTER 19 Global Economic Justice 637

Issue File: Background 637

Moral Theories 639

VITAL STATS: THE PLANET’S POOR AND HUNGRY 639

Moral Arguments 641

QUICK REVIEW 643

Summary 643

READINGS

On Justice by John Rawls 644

The Entitlement Theory of Justice by Robert Nozick 651

Famine, Affluence, and Morality by Peter Singer 660

Lifeboat Ethics by Garrett Hardin 665

Cases for Analysis 672

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G L O S S A R Y 674

F U R T H E R R E A D I N G 678

A N S W E R S T O A R G U M E N T E X E R C I S E S 684

I N D E X 685

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This fourth edition of Doing Ethics brings another set of substantial improvements to a text that had already been greatly expanded and improved. The aims that have shaped this text from the begin- ning have not changed: to help students (1) see why ethics matters to society and to themselves; (2) understand core concepts (theories, principles, values, virtues, and the like); (3) be familiar with the background (scientific, legal, and otherwise) of contemporary moral problems; and (4) know how to apply critical reasoning to those problems—to assess moral judgments and principles, construct and evaluate moral arguments, and apply and cri- tique moral theories. This book, then, tries hard to provide the strongest possible support to teachers of applied ethics who want students, above all, to think for themselves and competently do what is often required of morally mature persons—that is, to do ethics.

These goals are reflected in the book’s extensive introductions to concepts, cases, and issues; its large collection of readings and exercises; and its chapter-by-chapter coverage of moral reasoning— perhaps the most thorough introduction to these skills available in an applied-ethics text. This latter theme gets systematic treatment in five chapters, threads prominently throughout all the others, and is reinforced everywhere by “Critical Thought” text boxes prompting students to apply critical thinking to real debates and cases. The point of all this is to help students not just to study ethics but to become fully involved in the ethical enterprise and the moral life.

P R E F A C E

‘’

NEW FEATURES

• A new chapter on the morality of personal use of illicit drugs and the laws and policies that pertain to that use: Chapter 12, Drug Use, Harm, and Personal Liberty. It includes three new readings by major figures in the debates on illegal drugs.

• A new chapter on the moral permissibility of affirmative action: Chapter 18, Equality and Affirmative Action. It includes four readings by prominent commentators on the issue.

• A revamped chapter on sexual morality that includes two new readings on pornography: Chapter 13, Sexual Morality.

• Six new readings to supplement the already extensive collection of essays.

ORGANIZATION

Part 1 (“Fundamentals”) prepares students for the tasks enumerated above. Chapter 1 explains why ethics is important and why thinking critically about ethical issues is essential to the examined life. It introduces the field of moral philosophy, defines and illustrates basic terminology, clarifies the connection between religion and morality, and explains why moral reasoning is crucial to moral maturity and personal freedom. Chapter 2 investigates a favorite doctrine of undergraduates—ethical relativism—and examines its distant cousin, emotivism.

Part 2 (“Moral Reasoning”) consists of Chapter 3, which starts by reassuring students that moral rea- soning is neither alien nor difficult but is simply

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ordinary critical reasoning applied to ethics. They’ve seen this kind of reasoning before and done it before. Thus, the chapter focuses on iden- tifying, devising, diagramming, and evaluating moral arguments and encourages practice and competence in finding implied premises, testing moral premises, assessing nonmoral premises, and dealing with common argument fallacies.

Part 3 (“Theories of Morality”) is about apply- ing critical reasoning to moral theories. Chapter 4 explains how moral theories work and how they are related to other important elements in moral experience: considered judgments, moral argu- ments, moral principles and rules, and cases and issues. It reviews major theories and shows how students can evaluate them by applying plausible criteria. The rest of Part 3 (Chapters 5 through 7) covers key theories in depth—utilitarianism, ethi- cal egoism, Kant’s theory, natural law theory, and the ethics of virtue. Students see how each theory is applied to moral issues and how those issues’ strengths and weaknesses are revealed by applying the criteria of evaluation.

In Part 4 (“Ethical Issues”), each of twelve chap- ters explores a timely moral issue through discussion and relevant readings: abortion, genetic manipula- tion and human cloning, euthanasia and physician- assisted suicide, drug use, capital punishment, sexual morality, same-sex marriage, environmental ethics, animal rights, affirmative action, political violence, and global economic justice. Every chapter supplies legal, scientific, and other background information on the issue; discusses how major theo- ries have been applied to the problem; examines arguments that have been used in the debate; and includes additional cases for analysis with questions. The readings are a mix of well-known essays and sur- prising new voices, both classic and contemporary.