A short history of ethics : a history of moral philosophy from the Homeric Age to the twentieth century

A Short History of Ethics has over the past thirty years become a key philosophical contribution to studies on morality and ethics. Alasdair MacIntyre writes a new preface for this second edition which looks at the book 'thirty years on' and considers its impact. A Short History of Ethics guides the reader through the history of moral philosophy from the Greeks to contemporary times. MacIntyre emphasises the importance of a historical context to moral concepts and ideas showing the relevance of philosophical queries on moral concepts and the importance of a historical account of ethics. A Short History of Ethics is an important contribution written by one of the most important living philosophers. Ideal for all philosophy students interested in ethics and morality. In this classic work, Alasdair MacIntyre guides the reader through the history of moral philosophy from the Greeks to contemporary times. He emphasizes the importance of a historical context to moral concepts and ideas. MacIntyre illustrates the relevance of philosophical queries on moral concepts enabling the reader to understand the importance of a historical account of ethics. Contents Preface to the second edition Preface 1. The Philosophical Point of the the History of Ethics 2. The Prephilosophical History of of "Good" and the Transition to Philosophy 3. The Sophists and Socrates 4. Plato: The Gorgias 5. Plato: The Republic 6. Postscript to Plato 7. Aristotle's Ethics 8. Postscript to Greek Ethics 9. Christianity 10. Luther, Machiavelli, Hobbes and Spinoza 11. New Values 12. The British Eighteenth-Century Argument 13. The French Eighteenth-Century Argument 14. Kant 15. Hegel and Marx 16. Kierkegaard to Nietzsche 17. Reformers, Utopians, Idealists 18. Modern Moral Philosophy "In this classic work, Alasdair MacIntyre guides the reader through the history of moral philosophy from the Greeks to contemporary times. He emphasizes the importance of a historical context to moral concepts and ideas. MacIntyre illustrates the relevance of philosophical queries on moral concepts enabling the reader to understand the importance of a historical account of ethics."--Jacket An introduction to ethics, presenting in concise form an insightful history of moral philosophy in the West, from the Greeks to contemporary times. In clear and readable prose, Alasdair MacIntyre leads the reader towards a greater understanding of what lies behind our ethical decisions Alasdair Macintyre. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 271-272) And Index.