A straightforward, accessible introduction to core theories in normative ethics from Western and non-Western philosophy suitable for the classroom.Ethical Theory in Global Perspective provides an easy-to-teach introduction to ethical theory from a uniquely global perspective. In addition to key Western ethical theories-such as virtue ethics, consequentialism, various deontological theories, and care ethics-moral theories from a range of East Asian, South Asian, and African philosophical traditions and schools are also discussed, including Akan philosophy, Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, and both orthodox and heterodox schools of classical Indian philosophy. In short, this book is a key resource for educators who want to diversify their ethical theory curricula but are not sure how, as well as those currently teaching comparative ethics looking for a single textbook that covers a range of philosophical traditions in a clear, approachable way.
Michael Hemmingsen is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Tunghai University in Taiwan.
AcknowledgmentsIntroduction: Global Philosophy and Ethical TheorySection 1: Character-Based Moral Theories 1. Feelings, Virtues, and Happiness in Aristotle's Nicomachean EthicsDirk Baltzly2. ConfucianismYat-hung Leung and Yong Huang3. Virtue Ethics in Early BuddhismDamien Keown4. Communo-Welfarism: An Akan Humanistic Moral TheoryMartin Odei AjeiSection 2: Consequentialist Moral Theories 5. The Secular Hedonism of the CārvākasPradeep P. Gokhale6. UtilitarianismNicholas Drake7. Mozi and Inclusive CareMichael Hemmingsen8. Why Would a Buddha Lie? Varieties of Buddhist ConsequentialismGordon F. DavisSection 3: Deontological Moral Theories 9. Immanuel Kant and DeontologyLucas Thorpe10. Mou Zongsan and Moral FeelingWing-Cheuk Chan and Michael Hemmingsen11. ContractualismJussi Suikkanen12. Jürgen Habermas and Discourse EthicsMichael Hemmingsen13. Rossian DeontologyPhilip Stratton-LakeSection 4: Particularist, Anti-Theoretical, and Other Approaches to Morality 14. The Ethics of Daoism: The Dissolving Boundary between Right and WrongWai Wai Chiu15. Zen Buddhist Ethics and the Bodhisattva VowRika Dunlap16. Ethical Dimensions of Advaita VedantaSandhya Pruthi17. Care Ethics: Love, Care, and ConnectionAllauren Samantha Forbes18. Yoga: Procedural Devotion to the RightShyam RanganathanContributorsIndex
"This book contributes to the field in two important ways. Firstly, it makes a strong case for a more global approach to discussions of ethical theory. This is important because of the historical neglect (at least in Western universities) of non-Western ethical theories and approaches. Secondly, it provides a largely excellent textbook to deliver a broader ethical theory course." — David Hunter, University of Adelaide