Human behaviors are complex and so are the principles and values that regulate their ethical worth. The book explores, summarizes, examines, critiques, and assesses the contemporary worth of ancient, medieval, and modern moral philosophies, such as Virtue Theory, Hinduism, Natural Law, Deontology, Utilitarianism, Confucianism, Daoism, Social Contract, Feminist Ethics of Care, and Buddhism. In addition, those traditions will be brought to bear on contemporary issues such as racism, business, the environment, artificial intelligence, abortion, euthanasia, physician-suicide, sexual ethics and orientations, and recreational and medicinal marijuana. Knowledge checkpoints are used to help readers retain and master relevant content. Real-life scenarios and or case studies are used in each chapter to incite engagement and foster critical thinking. Additionally, links to primary sources and multimedia materials are interwoven throughout the text.
Overall, the textbook exposes readers and students to a broad and diverse range of philosophical perspectives, while suggesting there is no such thing as a silver-bullet moral philosophy that, by itself, addresses or solves all of the complexities of human behaviors. In addition, the textbook assesses that the complexities of human behaviors may be related to internal factors such as genetic predispositions, personality traits, and psychological disorders, and/or to external factors such as social, religious, psychological, economic, and environmental conditions serving as powerful catalysts for both praiseworthy and blameworthy behaviors. Other salient trappings of contemporary context complicating moral discourses are the ubiquity of various forms of technology and a declining interest in the liberal arts disciplines.
Evidently, the market is replete with books on ethics and moral problems. Ultimately, the value of any text rests on how well it, according to the Bloom’s Taxonomy, meets the basic needs of its readers (defining, remembering, and understanding) while elevating them to the next or deeper levels of application, analysis, and evaluation. Thus, this textbook offers distinct features that help it achieve those basic and higher order thinking metrics, but make it user-friendly, accessible, and academically digestible. Following are some of the features the reader will come across as they navigate through the pages of this book:
Dr. Ulysse is a distinguished scholar, educator, and author with a diverse and interdisciplinary academic background. Holding a Master of Religious Philosophies, an MBA, a Doctorate in Education, and a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Dr. [Your Name] brings a wealth of knowledge to their teaching and research endeavors.
For over 17 years, Dr. Ulysse has inspired students through courses in ethics and the philosophy of religions, fostering critical thinking and meaningful discourse in the classroom. His extensive teaching experience is complemented by a prolific publication record, including multiple books and book chapters that address vital topics such as ethics, education, racial identities and politics, and qualitative research.
Dr. Ulysse's work is characterized by a commitment to exploring complex and nuanced issues, from moral philosophies and religious traditions to contemporary challenges in racial and social justice. His interdisciplinary expertise bridges the gap between the humanities and the rapidly evolving world of technology, enabling innovative insights into the ethical implications of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
In addition to their academic pursuits, Dr. Ulysse is an advocate for interdisciplinary education and research. He believes in the transformative power of knowledge to inspire change and are dedicated to equipping students and readers with the tools to navigate and address the ethical complexities of our time.
With a unique blend of scholarly rigor, pedagogical excellence, and a passion for ethical inquiry, Dr. Ulysse continues to make a significant impact in academia and beyond, shaping the minds, moral sensibility, and intellectual acuity of the next generation of leaders.
Preface
Module 01. Introduction to Philosophy at Large
Module 02. Foundations of Ethics
Module 03. Hindu Codes of Conduct: Caste, Dharma, and the Stages of Life
Module 04. Virtue Theory in Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Module 05. Confucianism: Tian's Will and the Ethical Aristocrat in Social and Filial Contexts
Module 06. Daoism: The Immutable Dao and the Natural Way
Module 07. Buddhism: The Dharma of Buddhasasana
Module 08. Natural Law in Judeo-Christian Philosophical Thoughts
Module 09. Social Contract: A Moral Synthesis of Humanity, Liberty, Equality, and Governmentality
Module 10. Utilitarianism: Pain and Pleasures as Sovereign Masters over Morality Matters
Module 11. Deontology: Kant and the Supremacy of Reason in Morality
Module 12. Feminist Ethics of Care: Beyond the Hegemony of Rationality and Patriarchy in Morality
Module 13. Sexual Ethics and Orientations: Beyond Heteronormativity
Module 14. Race Matters: The Perennial Problem With Racism and Racial Justice
Module 15. Business Ethics: Oxymoronic, Ironic, or Not
Module 16. Environmental Ethics: Anthropocentricism Biocentrism, and Ecocentrism
Module 17. Abortion: A Balancing Act between the Right to Choose and the Right to Live
Module 18. Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia: Atomizing Matters of Life and Death with Dignity
Module 19. Artificial Intelligence: Facial Recognition and Privacy Rights
Module 20. Social Media: Virtual Connection, Net Neutrality, and Data Mining
Module 21. Recreational and Medicinal Marijuana: Turning the Tide on Getting High
Module 22. Capital Punishment: Lex Talionis and Crime Deterrence