Moral Theory at the Movies

Dean Kowalski is an associate professor at the University of Wisconsin Manitowoc.

• Chapter 1: Rhetoric, Philosophy, and Moral ReasoningFeatured Film: Thank You for Smoking (2005)1.1 Thinking through the Movie1.2 Historical Setting: Plato, Gorgias (excerpt)1.3 Discussion and Analysis1.4 Two Additional Films: Minority Report (2002) and Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog (2008)1.5 Reviewing through the Three MoviesPART I: Meta-ethicsChapter 2: Simple Ethical SubjectivismFeatured Film: Match Point (2006)2.1 Thinking through the Movie2.2 Historical Setting: David Hume, “Ethics and Sentiment”2.3 Discussion and Analysis2.4 Two Additional Films: The Emperor’s New Groove (2000) and The Shape of Things (2003) 2.5 Reviewing through the Three MoviesChapter 3: Moral RelativismFeatured Film: Hotel Rwanda (2004)3.1 Thinking through the Movie3.2 Historical Setting: William Sumner, “Folkways”3.3 Discussion and Analysis3.4 Two Additional Films: The Joy Luck Club (1993) and Do the Right Thing (1989)3.5 Reviewing through the Three MoviesChapter 4: Divine Command TheoryFeatured Film: Frailty (2001)4.1 Thinking through the Movie4.2 Historical Setting: Plato, Euthyphro4.3 Discussion and Analysis4.4 Two Additional Films: Evan Almighty (2007) and Boondock Saints (1999)4.5 Reviewing through the Three MoviesChapter 5: Ethical ObjectivismFeatured Film: The Cider House Rules (1999)5.1 Thinking through the Movie5.2 Historical Setting: Thomas Reid, “Of the First Principles of Morals”5.3 Discussion and Analysis 5.4 Two Additional Films: Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989) and Schindler’s List (1993)5.5 Reviewing through the Three MoviesPART II: What Ought I to Do?Chapter 6: Biology, Psychology, and Ethical TheoryFeatured Film: Cast Away (2000)6.1 Thinking through the Movie6.2 Historical Setting: Aquinas, Summa (excerpt)6.3 Discussion and Analysis6.4 Two Additional Films: Boys Don’t Cry (1999) and Spiderman 2 (2004)6.5 Reviewing through the Three MoviesChapter 7: UtilitarianismFeatured Film: Extreme Measures (1996)7.1 Thinking through the Movie7.2 Historical Setting: John Stuart Mill, Utilitarianism (excerpt)7.3 Discussion and Analysis 7.4 Two Additional Films: Saving Private Ryan (1998) and Eternal Sunshine…Spotless Mind (2004)7.5 Reviewing through the Three MoviesChapter 8: Kant and Respect for Persons EthicsFeatured Film: Horton Hears a Who (2007)8.1 Thinking through the Movie8.2 Historical Setting: Immanuel Kant, Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals (excerpt)8.3 Discussion and Analysis8.4 Two Additional Films: 3:10 to Yuma (2007) and Amistad (1997)8.5 Reviewing through the Three MoviesChapter 9: Social Contract Theory: Hobbes, Locke, and RawlsFeatured Film: V for Vendetta (2005)9.1 Thinking through the Movie9.2 Historical Setting: Hobbes, Leviathan (excerpt)9.3 Discussion and Analysis9.4 Two Additional Films: Lord of the Flies (1990) and Serenity (2005)9.5 Reviewing through the Three MoviesPART III: How Ought I to Be?Chapter 10: Aristotle and Virtue EthicsFeatured Film: Groundhog Day (1993)10.1 Thinking through the Movie10.2 Historical Setting: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics (excerpt) 10.3 Discussion and Analysis10.4 Two Additional Films: The Last Samurai (2003) and As Good as It Gets (1998)10.5 Reviewing through the Three MoviesChapter 11: Care and FriendshipFeatured Film: Vera Drake (2004)11.1 Thinking through the Movie11.2 Historical Setting: Nel Noddings, Caring (excerpt) 11.3 Discussion and Analysis11.4 Two Additional Films: The X-Files: I Want to Believe (2007) and Life Is Beautiful (1998)11.5 Reviewing through the Three MoviesChapter 12: Plato and Being GoodFeatured Film: The Emperor’s Club (2003) 12.1 Thinking through the Movie12.2 Historical Setting: Plato, Republic (excerpt)12.3 Discussion and Analysis12.4 Two Additional Films: Goodfellas (1990) and The Man without a Face (1993)12.5 Reviewing through the Three Movies

Moral Theory at the Movies is a refreshing and thorough look at the subject of ethics. The well-chosen readings and movies will provoke students to engage constructively with the material and the author's discussions and explanations are clear and appealing. The study questions provided should ensure a high level of in-class discussion. In short, this is a first-rate text for introductory ethical theory courses.