Beginners guide to moral philosophy

[Shirl]

Hello, this is the first time I've posted in this particular forum.
I want to learn about moral philosophy. I've been on Amazon looking for a beginners guide but there are more than one. Can anyone recommend which is best?

 

[danny la rouge]

Is there any reason you’re interested? Or is it just a general overview you’re wanting?

Ethics, Killing and War by Richard Norman uses a particular angle (can war ever be justified?) to look at the contribution of moral philosophy to practical concerns in current affairs. It’s actually a wider introduction than its ostensible focus might seem, and whether or not you agree with his conclusions (and when I read it, I broadly did), it offers a useful introduction to the subject.

A more conventional introduction would be Gensler’s Ethics, a Contemporary Introduction.

 

[Shirl]

Is there any reason you’re interested? Or is it just a general overview you’re wanting?

Ethics, Killing and War by Richard Norman uses a particular angle (can war ever be justified?) to look at the contribution of moral philosophy to practical concerns in current affairs. It’s actually a wider introduction than its ostensible focus might seem, and whether or not you agree with his conclusions (and when I read it, I broadly did), it offers a useful introduction to the subject.

A more conventional introduction would be Gensler’s Ethics, a Contemporary Introduction.

Thanks Danny
I'm finding that I can't even explain why I'm interested.
I've been listening to The Ferryhill Philosophers dramas on Radio 4.
I want to know and understand more about moral philosophy.
If I have to read about killing and war I will but I'd rather not.

 

[danny la rouge]

Thanks Danny
I'm finding that I can't even explain why I'm interested.
I've been listening to The Ferryhill Philosophers dramas on Radio 4.
I want to know and understand more about moral philosophy.
If I have to read about killing and war I will but I'd rather not.

Do you listen to podcasts? Try dipping into the Partially Examined Life. It can be a useful jumping off point. (It can also at times be superficial and irritating, but I can forgive them that for the number of useful discussions they do have).

 

[Shirl]

Do you listen to podcasts? Try dipping into the Partially Examined Life. It can be a useful jumping off point. (It can also at times be superficial and irritating, but I can forgive them that for the number of useful discussions they do have).

Thanks, I've never listened to podcasts but I can start I still want a book though

 

[danny la rouge]

Thanks, I've never listened to podcasts but I can start I still want a book though

Try the Gensler, then, if the Norman isn’t calling to you. There’ll be a newer edition than the one I have.

Here’s the podcast I referred to. Dip in and out of what takes your fancy. The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast

If you need advice on how to get the best out of podcasts technically speaking, I’m sure somebody better qualified than me can advise.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Watch “The Good Place”

 

[Shirl]

Watch “The Good Place”

What's that?

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

What's that?

The Good Place - Wikipedia

One of the best TV shows in recent years.

 

[Shirl]

I think I'm going with Gensler danny la rouge. Thanks

 

[Shirl]

The Good Place - Wikipedia

One of the best TV shows in recent years.

Unfortunately, I don't like fantasy or American shows ( Columbo excepted)

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Unfortunately, I don't like fantasy or American shows ( Columbo excepted)

It’s not fantasy as in dragons and wizards etc. It’s based on the idea that someone has ended up in heaven (“the good place”) by mistake. It’s very funny, and explores various moral and philosophical ideas

 

[Shirl]

It’s not fantasy as in dragons and wizards etc. It’s based on the idea that someone has ended up in heaven (“the good place”) by mistake. It’s very funny, and explores various moral and philosophical ideas

That sounds good thanks. I have a habit of dismissing things based on my (often wrong) assumptions. I'll watch it.

 

[FabricLiveBaby!]

This series of lectures from Harvard University is very good:

Goes into lots of detail, is thought provoking, and provides an easy to swallow first dip into the philosophy of ethics.

Highly recommended. I learnt a lot from it.

The link to the entire playlist is here :

 

[Shirl]

Thanks FabricLiveBaby!
I'm going to be busy with all this

 

[Duncan2]

Inventing Right and Wrong by Mackie covers a lot of ground I think you might like it.

 

[FabricLiveBaby!]

Thanks FabricLiveBaby!
I'm going to be busy with all this

Aww! You're totally welcome! Let me know what you think of it when you're done

 

[meurig]

Inventing Right and Wrong by Mackie covers a lot of ground I think you might like it.

Seconded. It was my introductory text at undergrad.

 

[Shirl]

Inventing Right and Wrong by Mackie covers a lot of ground I think you might like it.

Seconded. It was my introductory text at undergrad.

As this was only £6.75 I've just bought it.

The Genster will have to wait until Friday.
It looks like I have plenty to read, listen to and watch for now
Thanks for all the recommendations folks

 

[danny la rouge]

As this was only £6.75 I've just bought it.

The Genster will have to wait until Friday.
It looks like I have plenty to read, listen to and watch for now
Thanks for all the recommendations folks

Don’t get the Gensler as well as the Mackie (not yet anyway). The Mackie is older, but it’s a classic, it covers plenty of ground, and you may want to supplement it with a few readings from primary sources rather than another introductory text.

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

Kenan Malik's 'The Quest for a Moral Compass' is quite wide-ranging and worth a read IMO.

 

[Idris2002]

Russell's History of Western Philosophy will deal with some of this, and give you the wider background at the same time:

History Of Western Philosophy : Russell, Bertrand : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

 

[Shirl]

Don’t get the Gensler as well as the Mackie (not yet anyway). The Mackie is older, but it’s a classic, it covers plenty of ground, and you may want to supplement it with a few readings from primary sources rather than another introductory text.

Ok thanks. I ordered the J l Mackie around 7pm last and it arrived before lunch today

 

[Jeff Robinson]

If you enjoy podcasts the ‘revealing applied ethics’ course is really useful. The first episode gives an overview of all the different ethical theories and then the subsequent episodes consider them in relation to applied ethical questions like abortion, capital punishment, the environment etc.

Other podcasts worth checking out are ethics bites, bioethics bites, practical ethics bites and philosophy 247.

 

[Shirl]

If you enjoy podcasts the ‘revealing applied ethics’ course is really useful. The first episode gives an overview of all the different ethical theories and then the subsequent episodes consider them in relation to applied ethical questions like abortion, capital punishment, the environment etc.

Other podcasts worth checking out are ethics bites, bioethics bites, practical ethics bites and philosophy 247.

I've still never listened to a podcast but I'm planning to and I'll add these to my growing list. Thank you

 

[Jeff Robinson]

I've still never listened to a podcast but I'm planning to and I'll add these to my growing list. Thank you

I listen to them when doing house work or walking to work - it makes mundane tasks fun or at least more tolerable!

 

[hash tag]

Taking your post from A rather different angle; Force Majure is a great film for raising questions and looking at things from different angles. It will certainly fuel your interest.
Force Majeure | Issue 108 | Philosophy Now