Overview

Problems in Value Theory takes a pro and con approach to central topics in aesthetics, ethics and political theory. Each chapter begins with a question: What Makes Actions Right or Wrong? Does Morality Depend on God? Do We Need Government? Contemporary philosophers with opposing viewpoints are then paired together to argue their position and raise problems with conflicting standpoints. Alongside an up-to-date introduction to a core philosophical stance, each contributor provides a critical response to their opponent and clear explanation of their view. Discussion questions are included at the end of each chapter to guide further discussion. With chapters ranging from why the government should never wage war to what is art and does morality depend on God, this introduction covers questions lying at the heart of debates about what does and does not have value.

Full Product Details

Author:   Professor Steven B. Cowan (Louisiana College, USA)
Publisher:   Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint:   Bloomsbury Academic
Weight:   0.640kg
ISBN:  

9781350147386

ISBN 10:   1350147389
Pages:   328
Publication Date:   06 February 2020
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Tertiary & Higher Education
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

Contributors Acknowledgements Introduction, Steven B. Cowan Part I: Problems in Ethics and Aesthetics Introduction to Part I, Steven B. Cowan 1. Is Morality Relative? Morality Is Relative, Michael Ruse Morality Is Objective, Francis J. Beckwith Responses: Beckwith's Response to Ruse Ruse's Response to Beckwith 2. What Makes Actions Right or Wrong? Consequences Make Actions Right, Alastair Norcross Respect for Persons Makes Actions Right, Mark Linville Responses: Linville's Response to Norcross Norcross's Response to Linville 3. Does Morality Depend on God? Morality Depends on God, Matthew Flannagan Morality Does Not Depend on God, Graham Oppy Responses: Oppy's Response to Flannagan Flannagan's Response to Oppy 4. Is Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder? Beauty is Relative, James Mock Beauty is Objective, Carol S. Gould Responses: Gould's Response to Mock Mock's Response to Gould 5. What Is the Meaning of Life? The Meaning of Life Is Found in God, Douglas Groothuis The Meaning of Life Can Be Found without God, Christine Vitrano Responses: Vitrano's Response to Groothuis Groothuis s Response to Vitrano Essay Suggestions For Further Reading Part II: Problems in Political Philosophy Introduction to Part II, Steven B. Cowan 6. Do We Need Government? We Do Not Need Government, Roderick T. Long We Need Some Government, Alex Tuckness Responses: Tuckness's Response to Long Long's Response to Tuckness 7. Should Wealth Be Redistributed? Wealth Should Be Redistributed, Jon Mandle Wealth Should Not Be Redistributed, Jan Narveson Responses: Narveson's Response to Mandle Mandle's Response to Narveson 8. When May the Government Wage War? The Government Should Never Wage War, Andrew Alexandra The Government May Sometimes Wage War, Nathan L. Cartagena Responses: Cartagena's Response to Alexandra Alexandra's Response to Cartagena Essay Suggestions For Further Reading Index

Reviews

Cowan's text is a one-stop shop for introductory philosophy instructors and students, featuring both excerpts from classic philosophical texts and contemporary discussions which will bring students up to speed on the current state of each debate. This unique format reinforces for readers the fact that to study philosophy is to enter into a conversation as long as human history itself. * James S. Spiegel, Professor of Philosophy and Religion, Taylor University, USA * Helpfully illustrates in a way accessible to non-specialist students selected contemporary academic approaches to philosophical value theory. Topics that constitute key issues in value theory in the sense of this volume are rather heterogeneous. So too are the types of language about value (contemporary-author, written interpretive text; questions; debates) that instructors using this volume may consider incorporating, to good effect, in a classroom. * Edward Sankowski, Professor of Philosophy, University of Oklahoma, USA *

Cowan's text is a one-stop shop for introductory philosophy instructors and students, featuring both excerpts from classic philosophical texts and contemporary discussions which will bring students up to speed on the current state of each debate. This unique format reinforces for readers the fact that to study philosophy is to enter into a conversation as long as human history itself. * James S. Spiegel, Professor of Philosophy and Religion, Taylor University, USA *

Author Information

Steven B. Cowan is Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Religion and Director of the Philosophy and Religion Program at Lincoln Memorial University, USA.

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