Taking Life : Three Theories on the Ethics of Killing

When and why is it right to kill? When and why is it wrong? Torbjörn Tännsjö examines three theories on the ethics of killing in this book: deontology, a libertarian moral rights theory, and utilitarianism. The implications of each theory are worked out for different kinds of killing: trolley-cases, murder, capital punishment, suicide, assisted death, abortion, killing in war, and the killing of animals. These implications are confronted with our intuitions in relation to them, and our moral intuitions are examined in turn. Only those intuitions that survive an understanding of how we have come to hold them are seen as 'considered' intuitions. The idea is that the theory that can best explain the content of our considered intuitions gains inductive support from them. We must transcend our narrow cultural horizons and avoid certain cognitive mistakes in order to hold considered intuitions. In this volume, suitable for courses in ethics and applied ethics, Tännsjö argues that in the final analysis utilitarianism can best account for, and explain, our considered intuitions about all these kinds of killing. When and why is it right to kill? When and why is it wrong? Torbjorn Tannsjo examines three theories on the ethics of killing in this book: deontology, a libertarian moral rights theory, and utilitarianism. The implications of each theory are worked out for different kinds of killing: trolley-cases, murder, capital punishment, suicide, assisted death, abortion, killing in war, and the killing of animals. These implications are confronted with our intuitions in relation to them, and our moral intuitions are examined in turn. Only those intuitions that survive an understanding of how we have come to hold them are seen as 'considered' intuitions. The idea is that the theory that can best explain the content of our considered intuitions gains inductive support from them. We must transcend our narrow cultural horizons and avoid certain cognitive mistakes in order to hold considered intuitions. In this volume, suitable for courses in ethics and applied ethics, Tannsjo argues that in the final analysis utilitarianism can best account for, and explain, our considered intuitions about all these kinds of killing." "In this splendidly engaging book, Torbjrn Tnnsj surveys a range of moral problems of killing -- such as capital punishment, euthanasia, abortion, war, and the killing of animals -- through the lenses of three moral theories: deontology, rights theory, and utilitarianism. His main aim is to find the true theory by testing the three candidates' implications against considered intuitions about the problems (and a provisional winner does emerge). But he also aims to reach the truth about the problems. These are ambitious aims but Tnnsj makes impressive progress, which the reader can follow without difficulty, as the writing is lucid and accessible throughout." - Jeff McMahan, White's Professor of Moral Philosophy, University of Oxford When And Why Is It Right To Kill? When And Why Is It Wrong? Torbjörn Tännsjö Examines Three Theories On The Ethics Of Killing In This Book: Deontology, A Libertarian Moral Rights Theory, And Utilitarianism. The Implications Of Each Theory Are Worked Out For Different Kinds Of Killing: Trolley-cases, Murder, Capital Punishment, Suicide, Assisted Death, Abortion, Killing In War, And The Killing Of Animals. These Implications Are Confronted With Out Intuitions In Relation To Them, And Our Moral Intuitions Are Examined In Turn. Only Those Intuitions That Survive An Understanding Of How We Have Come To Hold Them Are Seen As 'considered' Intuitions. The Idea Is The Theory That Can Best Explain The Content Of Our Considered Intuitions Gains Inductive Support From Them. We Must Transcend Our Narrow Cultural Horizons And Avoid Certain Cognitive Mistakes In Order To Hold Considered Intuitions. Tännsjö Aruges That In The Final Analaysis Utilitarianism Can Best Account For, And Explain, Our Considered Intuitions About All These Kinds Of Killing. -- From Back Cover. Method -- Bold Conjectures -- The Trolley Cases -- Murder -- Capital Punishment -- Suicide -- Assisted Death -- Abortion -- A Survival Lottery -- Killing In War -- The Killing Of Animals -- What Are We To Believe? Torbjörn Tännsjö. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. When and why is it right to kill? When and why is it wrong? Torbjörn Tännsjö examines three theories on the ethics of killing in this book: deontology, a libertarian moral rights theory, and utilitarianism. The implications of each theory are worked out for different kinds of killing: trolley-cases, murder, capital punishment, suicide, assisted death, abortion, killing in war, and the killing of animals. These implications are confronted with out intuitions in relation to them, and our moral intuitions are examined in turn. Only those intuitions that survive an understanding of how we have come to hold them are seen as 'considered' intuitions. The idea is the theory that can best explain the content of our considered intuitions gains inductive support from them. We must transcend our narrow cultural horizons and avoid certain cognitive mistakes in order to hold considered intuitions. Tännsjö argues that in the final analaysis utilitarianism can best account for, and explain, our considered intuitions about all these kinds of killing. -- from back cover When and why is it all right to kill? When and why is it wrong? Three theories on the ethics of killing are critically examined in the book: deontology, a libertarian moral rights theory, and utilitarianism. The implications of each theory are worked out for different kinds of killing in chapters on murder, capital punishment, suicide, assisted death, abortion, survival lotteries, killing in war, and the killing of animals When is it right to kill? Three ethical theories are examined, deontology, a moral rights theory, and utilitarianism. The implications of each theory are worked out for different kinds of killing. In the final analysis, utilitarianism can best account for our considered intuitions about these kinds of killing.