Analysis of Ethics: History, Theory, and Contemporary Issues by Steven M. Cahn and Markie - Book Report/Review Example

Lecturer Ethics and Ethical Philosophies Introduction The book Ethics: History, Theory, and Contemporary Issues by Steven M. Cahn and Peter Markie; explain 69 selections divided in three major parts, to enable easier understanding of the moral philosophy. The book explains ethical theories that have existed in approximately the past 2500 years. Historical sources are the first part discussed in the book, and it has contents from the ancient Greece to the 20th century. This part takes us through the classical thought, medieval views, to finally modern theories, developed by 19th and 20th century leading thinkers. Modern ethical theory is the second part discusses relativism, egoism, utilitarianism and Kantianism; which mostly reflects on morality, duty, rights and justice (Cahn and Markie 41). The third section, contemporary moral problems, entails present debates on abortion, environmentalism, famine relief, use of torture on suspects and euthanasia. It also focuses on death essays or discussions on meaning of life. 1. Should 18 year olds be allowed to drink? The philosopher, David Hume, is for drinking among the 18 years old, as explained in his ethics ideas. The view of David Hume concerning human motivation or action entails the cornerstone of the ethical theory. He explains that moral and ethical issues are intrinsically motivating; and the providers of action reasons. People are not motivated through reason alone, hence motivation requires input of passions. Hume explains that reason shouldn’t be behind morality (Cahn and Markie 38). Morals are responsible for exciting passions and preventing actions. Hume also believed that desire governed human behavior, and not reason. He says, "Reason is, and ought only to be the slave of the passions." he also concludes that people have knowledge of actions or things that they experience or feel directly. Hume separates perception into; “strong or lively impressions,” and “ideas which are fainter.” He explains that mental behavior is developed through acquired ability. Without the direct impressions related to self, humans do not have actual conception of self. Hume believed that ethics are determined through feelings, and not abstract moral principles. 18 year old drinking is allowed only if there is desire for an alcoholic drink or drunken feeling. This desires leads to the actual drinking behavior. 2. Should Abortion be illegal? The philosopher, Thomas Aquinas, is against the idea of abortion in his ethical ideas. The theory is based on the idea of the “first principle of action.” He explains that virtue represents perfection of power; perfection of a thing is determined in relation to its end; which is end. Therefore, power is perfect in relation to its act. Aquinas illustrated that synderesis is the law of the mind; because it is a habit which has ideas of natural law, which form the first human actions principles. Aquinas explains that all virtue acts are entailed in the natural law; this is because reasons dictate naturally to humans to behave virtuously. Thomas came up with four cardinal virtues of; fortitude, prudence, temperance and justice. The virtues are natural and binding on all people. There are also three supernatural virtues of; charity, faith and hope. In addition, Thomas analyzed four laws; divine, eternal, human and natural. Eternal law explains that God governs all the creation. It is "That Law which is the Supreme Reason cannot be understood to be otherwise than unchangeable and eternal.” Natural is governed through reason, and on first principles. The first idea of natural law is that good should be promoted and also, evil should be avoided. The philosopher is against abortion because human nature favors marriage, which is the gift of one person to another and ensures family for the children and good future of mankind. The desire of living and procreating is seen by Thomas as one of the basic human values; he also explained that love involves "to will the good of another." 3. Should Euthanasia be legalized? The works of the philosopher, Aristotle, explains that he is for euthanasia. Euthanasia involves the activities of deliberately ending the life of another person, so as to relieve suffering or pain. In the Nicomachean Ethics he says, “Every craft and every line of inquiry, and likewise every action and decision seems to seek some good …”Aristotle also explained that ethical knowledge cannot be equated to practical knowledge, people must show "experience of the actions in life" and should be "brought up in fine habits" so as to be good. People only become virtuous through performing virtuous activities. He says, “We are not studying in order to know what virtue is, but to become good, for otherwise there would be no profit in it.” In his theory, Aristotle believes that character excellence is found in between a deficiency and an excellence; of which each is a unique vice which deviates from virtuous character state. An example is; a person who gets annoyed easily is seen to be hot headed, while a person who does not get annoyed easily is seen as soft. This doctrine of the mean remains the core issue of shown in Aristotle’s ethics. For example, euthanasia is considered the proper action to take, but this action is not seen as moderate in the usual world sense. Euthanasia is supported by Aristotle, because it aims at doing well; relieving pain or suffering. 4. Should prostitution be legalized? The philosopher, Immanuel Kant, in his Kantian ethics ideas explains that prostitution should not be legalized. He believes that reason should determine how people behave or act. However, he did not illustrate the specific action. The ethics law is based on the duty concept; he started his theory through arguing that the only virtue which is unqualifiedly good is goodwill. There is no other virtue which can achieve this level because the other virtues can be utilized towards meeting immoral ends. The good will is very unique because “it always maintains moral values and even if it fails in meeting desired moral intentions.” Kant uses the goodwill as a benchmark moral principle, in choosing other moral virtues to meet moral ends. Kant sees humans as a subject of the animalistic desires involving; species preservation, preservation of enjoyment and self preservation. He says, “… humans have a duty to avoid maxims that harm or degrade themselves, including suicide, sexual degradation, and drunkenness.” Sexual intercourse is degrading, as it reduces people to objects of desire. However, he accepted marital sex, and regarded it as "a merely animal union." Many current practices dehumanize women; for example prostitution and pornography do not meet human autonomy standards because they objectify women. Commercial sex turns the participants into objects. The explained reasons show that commercial sex shouldn’t be legalized. 5. Should smoking cigarettes be illegal? The philosopher, Thomas Hobbes, shows that he is against cigarettes smoking being illegal. This is because morality “is based upon self interest.” People should be allowed to do activities which are in their interest, or perform activities which further their self interests. Hobbes uses strong claims to support his self interest idea. He says, “I obtained two absolutely certain postulates of human nature,” and then continues, “……one, the postulate of human greed by which each man insists upon his own private use of common property; the other, the postulate of natural reason, by which each man strives to avoid violent death.” Therefore, people should be given the freedom of doing what they prefer to further their interests. If an individual is interested in smoking, then that self interest should be met and satisfied (Cahn and Markie 27). Conclusion The solutions to moral issues discussed in this paper are debatable. This is because different philosophers have different views on how the moral issues should be analyzed and addressed. The laws governing a country; and the cultural background of society; also have influences on the solutions to moral issues addressed in this paper. Works Cited Cahn, Steven and Markie, Peter. Ethics: History, Theory, and Contemporary Issues. New York: Oxford University Press, 2011. Print. Read More