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Title: Moral Theory by Mark Timmons ISBN: 0-8476-9769-X Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield (Non NBN) Pub. Date: 28 January, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $20.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 5 (2 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: A Good Choice for an Ethics class.
Comment: The question is whether a moral theory, which is the subject of Moral Theory by Mark Timmons, is good? I accept this question, since it is good to know whether an action might be right and wrong.
The final cause and goal of a moral theory is to bring about peace from the understanding of right and wrong. Timmons writes, 'The practical aim of a moral theory has to do with the desire to have some method to follow when, for example, we reason about what is right or wrong' (p. 3).
The material cause and stuff involved with a moral theory are actions, such as right or wrong actions. Timmons writes that a moral theory serves 'to explain what makes actions right or wrong' (p. 6).
The formal causes of a moral theory involved six unique 'characteristics' (p. 17). A moral theory that is trustworthy will be: (1) 'Consistent' (p. 13) and involve the inductive observations of regularities in nature; (2) 'Determinate' (p. 13) and will be clear and precise; (3) 'Intuitive' (p. 14) and will be based on 'facts about human nature' and common sense; (4) 'Internally supported' (p. 15) and will trigger the passion of hope and be supported by our beliefs; (5) 'Powerful' (p. 15) and will assist a person with 'principles that explain what it is about actions that makes them right or wrong;' (6) 'Externally supported' (p. 16) and will received support from counseling agents and experts in 'psychology, metaphysics and religion' (p. 16).
The principle agent and person primarily responsible for a moral theory is every person 'who can be held responsible for who they are and what they do' (p. 10). The principal agents of a moral theory are 'responsible agents' who are 'candidates for being morally good or bad' (p. 16).
There are three preparing agents and three things that we may do in order to arrive at a trustworthy moral theory. 1. We must define our terms and 'clarify important concepts, such as that of human dignity' (p. 2). 2. We must look at the different reasons people give when performing an action and 'evaluate various claims' (p. 2). 3. We must find the missing premises in practical syllogisms and evaluate the 'basic moral assumptions that are often unstated in the giving of such arguments' (p. 3).
The assisting agents of a trustworthy moral theory are 'moral principles' (p. 6), guidelines of discussion, and the 'principles' (p. 15) of right or wrong actions.
A trustworthy moral theory must consider the counseling agents and experts in the various disciplines, such as 'psychology, metaphysics and religion' (p. 16).
What does a person see, hear, taste, touch and smell when contacting a sound moral theory? A person may read about a law that was passed in Oregon in 1999 which allowed 'physician-assisted suicide' (p. 1) and was 'effectively overturned' (p. 2) after the consideration of the various reasons for the action and the hunt for missing premises in arguments.
A sound moral theory is analogous to strong scientific theory. Timmons writes, 'Scientists employ scientific methodology in arriving at scientific conclusions about various phenomena under investigation, and such methodology provides a means of resolving scientific disputes' (p. 3).
A sign that a moral theory is sound and trustworthy is that the moral theory agrees with one's hopes and beliefs. Timmons writes, 'A moral theory whose principles' logically imply our' moral beliefs [is a moral theory that] receives support' from those beliefs' (p. 15).
The history of philosophy shows that people have regularly desired a sound moral theory. Timmons writes, 'In the chapters that follow, we shall examine representative versions of the following moral theories'' Eight moral theories from the history of philosophy are considered in the following chapters of Timmon's Moral Theory.
The motive for having a sound moral theory is reasonable, since it is reasonable to 'understand the underlying nature of right and wrong' (p. 4). Additionally, the passion involved with a sound moral theory is desire, since we 'desire to have some method to follow' (p. 3) when trying to do the right thing.
The above deliberation process enables me to choose two of my favorite reasons for a sound moral theory and enables me to make the following command. A moral theory is good, because a moral theory includes preparing agents and sign of agreement with one's hopes and beliefs.
In order to execute an activity based on the above steps of prudence, I shall make the following argument:
The activities of defining terms, considering various reasons for an action and hunting for missing premises in arguments, as well as an agreement with one's hopes and beliefs, are good. A moral theory involves the activities of defining terms, considering various reasons for an action and hunting for missing premises in arguments, as well as an agreement with one's hopes and beliefs.
Therefore, a moral theory is good.
Rating: 5
Summary: simply the best mid-level introduction to ethics text
Comment: This is really an excellent book in every way that an ethics text can be good. It would be perfect for any mid-level course in ethical theory or the history of ethics.
Students and ideally, general readers, who just want to learn what some of the best thinkers have thought about right & wrong and good & bad will learn a lot from this book. They will also also (and more importantly), learn careful philosophical methodology--that is, learn how to think about and critically evaluate ethical theories. The book is clear and concise, careful and precise but not overly technical to a fault, and enjoyable to read.
Also, the price simply cannot be beat, especially for a text. Poor students will be grateful and they might even hold onto it after class is over.
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