Why Be Good? A Historical Introduction to Ethics

In Plato's Republic, the character Thrasymachus asks whether it isimportant to be morally good. He contends that the only rational policy tofollow is one of strict self-interest; if you can get away with it, why not dothe "wrong" thing? Why be good? Ideal for courses in introductory ethics or the history of ethics, Why BeGood?: A Historical Introduction to Ethics takes up Thrasymachus' immoralistchallenge, using it as a unifying theme throughout. An engaging and historicallyorganized introduction, this unique volume explores the vital question of why weshould be good. Author Duncan Richter presents a series of intriguing responsesfrom the Western philosophical tradition, offering chapters on Plato, Aristotle,prominent thinkers in Christianity, Aquinas, Hobbes, Hume, Kant, Mill,Nietzsche, and several twentieth-century philosophers. In each chapter, Richterfocuses on the main ethical theories of the philosopher(s) discussed, explainingtheir ideas on ethics, virtue, and character and the objections resulting fromtheir arguments. Each chapter builds on the concepts covered in previouschapters; this historical approach results in a debate that elucidates thevarious theories and helps students understand each new argument as a reactionto those that preceded it. The final chapter integrates up-to-date coverage offeminist ethics; evolutionary psychology; contemporary continental philosophers(Derrida in particular); and analytic virtue ethics since Wittgenstein, with anemphasis on Elizabeth Anscombe, Philippa Foot, and Rosalind Hursthouse. Incontrast with other books on the topic, this text treats all theories equally,including religious views. Focusing on character and virtue ethics, Why Be Good? encourages studentsto reflect on their own lives, on what it means to be good, and on why--andwhether-they should be good. The text is enhanced by key terms (boldfaced thefirst time they appear), Questions for Further Thought at the end of eachchapter, and Suggestions for Further Reading throughout.