Western Ethics: An Historical Introduction

This volume provides a wide–ranging and lucid introduction to the major ethical theories found in the history of Western philosophy. The book begins with the ethical thought of Socrates and the Sophists in the fifth century BCE and concludes with the philosophy of Nietzsche at the end of the nineteenth century CE. An epilogue traces parallels between twentieth century ethical theories and those found in the previous history of the subject. Special attention is given to theories that have exerted considerable influence on contemporary ethics, namely those of Aristotle, Hobbes, Butler, Hume, Kant, and Mill. It is an ideal text for all introductory courses in ethics and moral philosophy.

Preface. Acknowledgments. 1. Socrates and the Sophists: an Invitation to Ethics. 2. Plato. 4. Hellenistic Ethics: Epicurus and the Stoics. 5. Ethics During the Medieval Period. 6. Hobbes. 7. Spinoza. 8. Butler. 9. Hume. 10. Kant. 11. Hegel. 12. Bentham and Mills. 13. Nietzsche. Epilogue: Into the Twentieth Century. Recommended Readings. Notes. Index.

The author is Professor of Philosophy at Georgia State University. His publications in Rationalism, Realism, and Relativism (1990). He was co–editor (with H.J. Glock) of Wittgenstein’s Philosophical Investigation (1991) and Wittgenstein and Quine (1996). He is the editor of the Companion to the Philosophers ( Blackwell Publishers, forthcoming).

"What Arrington has produced is a series of very sympathetic interpretations of each featured philosopher. Special emphasis is given throughout the text to those historical figures who have had the most influence on recent analytical moral philosophy, including Aristotle, Hobbes, Butler, Hume, Kant and Mill. Of particular interest to those who may consider using this text in their classes is the division of each chapter into concise segments that focus on each philosopher′s key concepts, the attempt to include the latest scholarship, and the helpful list of recommended readings." Doug Carriker " Professor Arrington has written a concise and wonderfully understandable introduction to the history of moral philosophy in the West up to the twentieth century. I have no doubt that this book will and should become a standard text for both undergraduate and post–graduate study." Len Doyal, University of London "Arrington deals with the major figures of Western ethics with clarity and precision, but above all with unusual sympathy. In combining respect for, and critical appraisal of each of the stands of Western thought, he conveys a sense of the rich weave of our ethical tradition." Richard D. Parry, Agnes Scott College <!––end––>