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A Short History of Ethics
- Narrated by: Tim Dalgleish
- Length: 12 hrs and 20 mins
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A Short History of Ethics
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Publisher's Summary
A Short History of Ethics is a significant contribution written by one of the most important living philosophers. It remains an important work, ideal for all students interested in ethics and morality.
The book is published by University of Notre Dame Press.
What the critics say
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Eric L, Montreal
- 2020-04-26
Challenging but worthwhile
I decided to listen to this book hoping to get to the historical basis for a key distinction of which I am aware in ethics (and I will probably betray here my ignorance), that between consequentialist and deontological ethics.
However this does not come through in this book. Rather, the author’s central point is that different ethical frameworks, which co-exist today, each have historical roots. We may choose one or we may choose the other (eg, a fairly standard form of liberal outlook or conservative or some variant of Christian) but whether in or out of such an outlook we have no basis for judging that this or that ethical perspective is « better » than another. There is no logical test nor absolute standard by which to judge them. Philosophers disagree as to which ethical norms are fundamental; virtuallly none can be deemed universally agreed upon.
Indeed, it is difficult to see where the human perception that some things are right and others wrong in an absolute sense comes from.
This book is likely to appeal to those who are not afraid of critical thinking about ethical norms - including their own. It is unsettling in that sense.
The historical overview is extensive with much material on the ancient Greek philosophers. Only Western philosophy is touched upon however.
The material is clearly laid out, although dense. One gets the impression that the author is an excellent scholar in his field. The reading is clear and well done.
I came to this book from a Christian perspective (formed by writers such as C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald and Bonhoeffer). This book had helped me see how such faith can look from the point of view of a non-believing philosopher. It is indeed striking, as MacIntyre points out, how many different ethical stances on various issues have been defended as Christian. It is a rather « elastic » framework (which may help account for its large number and variety of adherents!)
In the end, these issues are not simple and this book helps us appreciate them a bit better.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jeffrey Schneider
- 2022-01-30
Good book, distracting narrator
Book is very interesting. Nice summary of Plato etc. The narration is pretty weird with a thick Scottish accent. He unfortunately uses different accents when quoting some famous author from some other country. It would have been better with a more common, less exotic accent.
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