Peter Singer's remarkably clear and comprehensive Practical Ethics has become a classic introduction to applied ethics since its publication in 1979 and has been translated into many languages. For this second edition the author has revised all the existing chapters, added two new ones, and updated the bibliography. He has also added an appendix describing some of the deep misunderstanding of and consequent violent reaction to the book in Germany, Austria and Switzerland where the book has tested the limits of freedom of speech. The focus of the book is the application of ethics to difficult and controversial social questions.
Peter Singer's remarkably clear and comprehensive Practical Ethics has become a classic introduction to applied ethics since its publication in 1979 and has been translated into many languages. For this second edition the author has revised all the existing chapters, added two new ones, and updated the bibliography. He has also added an appendix describing some of the deep misunderstanding of and consequent violent reaction to the book in Germany, Austria and Switzerland where the book has tested the limits of freedom of speech. The focus of the book is the application of ethics to difficult and controversial social questions.
1. About ethics; 2. Equality and its implications; 3. Equality for animals?; 4. What's wrong with killing?; 5. Taking life: animals; 6. Taking life: the embryo and the foetus; 7. Taking life: humans; 8. Rich and poor; 9. Insiders and outsiders; 10. The environment; 11. Ends and means; 12. Why act morally?; Appendix: on being silenced in Germany; Notes; References and further reading.
The focus of the book is the application of ethics to difficult and controversial social questions.
From a review of the first edition 'Singer's book is packed with admirably marshalled and detailed information, social, medical, and economic, and has a splendid appendix of notes and references to further reading. The utility of this utilitarian's book to students of its subject can hardly be exaggerated.' New York Review of Books 'Peter Singer has provided us with a good example of the fruits of a major and by now established extension of philosophical interest. He succeeds in being straightforward, clear, and forceful without oversimplifying the technical aspects of the problems he discusses or trivialising the underlying philosophical issues.' The Times Higher Education Supplement 'Excellent and highly provocative.' Choice
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