Ethics for Beginners: Big Ideas from 32 Great Minds
Product ID: 632732202
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Socrates once said that a good person does not worry much about the little things, like whether he lives or dies, but only about the one big thing: whether he is a good person or a bad one. In Ethics for Beginners , celebrated philosopher Peter Kreeft reclaims the importance of ethical study in answering life’s big questions: What is the meaning of life? How should I live? How should I treat other people? Unlike many modern texts on the subject, this one asserts that ethics is real, that good and evil are knowable, and that we can learn to act well and so become better and happier people. Surveying the “big ideas” of the thirty-two most important ethical philosophers, Ethics for Beginners is an apprenticeship to the greatest minds in history. With expert analysis and reflection from Kreeft, it offers a challenging and unforgettable treatment that is suitable for classroom and individual use alike. Review: Best overview of ethical theories I've ever read - Kreeft says the book is written for "intelligent beginners," yet I--someone with a grad degree in philosophy who has taught at the college level for more than 20 years--found Ethics for Beginners interesting and helpful. Kreeft displays a remarkable ability to explain ideas clearly, and he excels at explaining how one thinker's ideas relate to others'. I bought five more copies to gift to my colleagues in character education who do not have backgrounds in moral philosophy. The book would be perfect for a college or upper-level high-school course on ethics or on the history of ideas. Review: Truth is ALWAYS simple - But, that doesn’t mean the truth is easy to find, accept, or most challengingly — live. Peter Kreeft gives inspiring vignettes on many ethical philosophers throughout the centuries and ages. They are introductory and very helpful in gaining a foundational understanding for the main tenets of each philosopher. Having only a B.A. in Philosophy, I still found this book challenging from an academic standpoint, but I also found it digestible... Couldn’t believe I finished it in less than a week. It was a phenomenal summary of ethics and helped me tie up loose ends from my B.A. almost 20 years ago. It helped me want to live out my ethical values AND dig deeper. An extremely beautiful gift from the author!!!
| Best Sellers Rank | #56,294 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #21 in Religious Ethics (Books) #58 in Religion & Philosophy (Books) #206 in Philosophy of Ethics & Morality |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 68 Reviews |
P**R
Best overview of ethical theories I've ever read
Kreeft says the book is written for "intelligent beginners," yet I--someone with a grad degree in philosophy who has taught at the college level for more than 20 years--found Ethics for Beginners interesting and helpful. Kreeft displays a remarkable ability to explain ideas clearly, and he excels at explaining how one thinker's ideas relate to others'. I bought five more copies to gift to my colleagues in character education who do not have backgrounds in moral philosophy. The book would be perfect for a college or upper-level high-school course on ethics or on the history of ideas.
P**S
Truth is ALWAYS simple
But, that doesn’t mean the truth is easy to find, accept, or most challengingly — live. Peter Kreeft gives inspiring vignettes on many ethical philosophers throughout the centuries and ages. They are introductory and very helpful in gaining a foundational understanding for the main tenets of each philosopher. Having only a B.A. in Philosophy, I still found this book challenging from an academic standpoint, but I also found it digestible... Couldn’t believe I finished it in less than a week. It was a phenomenal summary of ethics and helped me tie up loose ends from my B.A. almost 20 years ago. It helped me want to live out my ethical values AND dig deeper. An extremely beautiful gift from the author!!!
M**P
Simple but illuminating
Dr. Kreeft has done it again (for about the 80th time) in this book. Here are several exceptionally clear overviews of the most important ethical thinkers in the history of the West (and East!). I am teaching an introductory class to philosophy, with a heavy focus on ethics, at a university right now, and have found this book a goldmine for preparing lectures. The way he lays out each thinker makes their overarching vision transparent and thus gives one a great foundation for tackling their texts in more depth. Highly recommended.
D**A
Good read
Love this book!!
Q**S
Good short summaries of various philosophers
It's just a set of short summaries of various philosophers but gives you a nice introduction to them and a starting point to go deeper if you want.
Y**E
Complexity made simple
This book should be read by every high school student to arm themselves against today’s mind numbing college education. Yes, there were great minds in the past answering in depth life’s Great moral, ethical, and philosophical questions. But because of the color of their skin they have been largely ignored in the current age of stupidity. At the end of the book is an analogy based on the great science fiction book , “ A Canticle for Liebowitz “ These 2 pages alone are worth the price of the book!!!
W**L
Outstanding
Deep and fun to read at same time. I need to read it again and get a hard copy. WOW
M**Y
Good
Simple
J**D
UGH.
The preface is insulting and childish. If it is supposed to be cute, it fails. C’mon editors!! The tone of writing talks down. Another book by another prig. After I read the insipid summary of objective value from the Abolition of Man I realized this was a work of a mediocre writer, and sent it back.
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