Introduction to Western Moral Philosophy

This is a lucid introduction to the subject based on lectures given to undergraduates and beginning with an introduction to the topic in terms of critical thinking and the nature of knowledge in relation to reason, evidence and argument. The treatment is chronological, with extended extracts and questions for consideration as well as comments on some of the texts. There are chapters on Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics and Epicureans, Thomas Aquinas, Hobbes, Hume, John Stuart Mill, Kant and a survey of contemporary schools of thought. There is also a useful glossary and a discussion of the two distinctive though related definitions of materialism. The conclusions make it clear that the central issues are likely to remain contested, such as the relationship between ethics and metaphysics, objectivity and subjectivity, rationality and ethics. Michael gives his own view in the last few pages with a reflection on love, drawing on the work of Martha Nussbaum - I liked her three characteristics of love (agape) in terms of compassion, individuality and reciprocity. He ends with three universal injunctions, originally from Judaism: do justice, love mercy, walk humbly. The book can be recommended not only to students, but also to any general reader wanting to become better acquainted with Western moral philosophical thought.