Formal Ethics

Formal Ethics is the study of formal ethical principles. The most important of these, perhaps the most important principle of human life, is the golden rule: "Treat others as you want to be treated." Although the golden rule enjoys wide support among different cultures and religions of the world, philosophers tend to neglect it. NowFormal Ethicsgives the golden rule the attention it deserves. Modelled on formal logic,Formal Ethicswas inspired by the ethical theories of Kant and Hare. It shows that the basic formal principles of ethics, like the golden rule, are very similar to principles of logic, and gives a firm basis for our ethical thinking.Formal Ethicsalso considers non-formal elements, and is applied to areas of practical concern such as racism and moral education.