Revealing Ethics: Theory & Issues

Major text revision released August 2020

Revealing^® Ethics: Theory & Issues explores the basics of ethical theory and its application to contemporary issues often taught in introductory ethics and applied ethics courses. The text provides user-friendly, broad, and balanced discussions of representative ethical arguments about key contemporary ethical issues. Learning is reinforced with interactive exercises, open-response questions, and a large bank of review questions. Students keep a running journal of their developing thoughts as they work through the courseware.

The major ethical theories discussed in the first four modules are clearly applied to each ethical issue in subsequent modules. Revealing^® Ethics: Theory & Issues explores not only central philosophical theories such as egoism, utilitarianism, rights and justice, and natural law, but also up-to-date treatments of virtue theory and religious ethics. Instructors can easily choose which ethical theories to focus upon for each ethical issue. Each issue module provides historical and legal context of the issue, as well as a balanced application of the ethical theories to that issue. The final module reflects on the value of ethics and considers issues relevant to the future. Content is updated annually, expanding existing material with new developments related to each issue.

Revealing^® Ethics: Theory & Issues Modules:

What Is Ethics?
Egoism & Utilitarianism
Justice & Virtue
From Nature to God
Abortion
LGBT+
Capital Punishment
Euthanasia
Environment: Ailing Planet
Environment: Ethical Cures
Future Ethics

Price: $50

What Is Ethics?

Loving Wisdom & Doing Right

Goals: Loving Wisdom & Doing Right
Conversation: Individuals & Their Ethics
Introduction to Ethics
Nature of Philosophy
Branches of Philosophy
Putting It All Together
Summary: Loving Wisdom & Doing Right
Try It: Loving Wisdom & Doing Right

Saying What We Mean

Goals: Saying What We Mean
Facts, Values, Ethics
Conversation: Facts, Values, Ethics
Judgments
Non-normative Judgments
Normative Judgments
Moral Judgments & Ethics
Summary: Saying What We Mean
Try It: Saying What We Mean

Egoism & Utilitarianism

If It Is Good for Me, It Is Right

Goals: If It Is Good for Me, It Is Right
Conversation: A Moral Argument
Ends Justify the Means
Ethical Egoism
Psychological Egoism
Hobbes & Rand
Short-Term & Long-Term Interests
Problems with Ethical Egoism
Summary: If It Is Good for Me, It Is Right
Try It: If It Is Good for Me, It Is Right

If It Is Good for Most, It Is Right

Goals: If It Is Good for Most, It Is Right
Utilitarianism
Bentham & Mill
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Preference Utilitarianism
Rule Utilitarianism
Criticisms of Utilitarianism
How Do You Make Moral Arguments?
Summary: If It Is Good for Most, It Is Right
Try It: If It Is Good for Most, It Is Right

Justice & Virtue

Matter of Principle

Goals: Matter of Principle
Deontological Ethics
Kantian Ethics
Categorical Imperative
Conflicting Duties
Criticisms of Kantian Ethics
Theory of Justice
Criticisms of Rawls
Another Approach to Justice
Summary: Matter of Principle
Try It: Matter of Principle

In Search of Excellence

Goals: In Search of Excellence
Background on Virtue Theory
Virtue Theory vs. Other Approaches
Being Virtuous
Beyond Aristotle
Criticisms of Virtue Ethics
Summary: In Search of Excellence
Try It: In Search of Excellence

From Nature to God

Just Act Naturally

Goals: Just Act Naturally
Background of Natural Law
Applying Natural Law
Criticisms of Natural Law
Summary: Just Act Naturally
Try It: Just Act Naturally

Is God Relevant?

Goals: Is God Relevant?
Nature of Religion
Religion & Philosophy
Religious Ethics – Caveat
Approaches to Religious Ethics
Divine Command Theory
Covenantal Ethics
Putting It Together
Summary: Is God Relevant?
Try It: Is God Relevant?

Abortion

Just the Facts

Goals: Just the Facts
Three Abortion Cases
From Cases to Generalities
Basic Terms
When Does Life Begin?
Medical Facts
Legal Background
Summary: Just the Facts
Try It: Just the Facts

Who Gets Hurt & Who Benefits?

Goals: Who Gets Hurt & Who Benefits?
Conversation: Abortion & Crime
Conflicting Results
Egoist Approach to Abortion
Inadequacies of Ethical Egoism
Utilitarianism & Abortion
Utilitarianism against Abortion
Utilitarianism for Abortion
Weighing Costs & Benefits
Being a Critical Reader
Summary: Who Gets Hurt & Who Benefits?
Try It: Who Gets Hurt & Who Benefits

Right to Life vs Right to Choose

Goals: Right to Life vs Right to Choose
Thought Experiment
Conversation: Rights of Women & Fetuses
Rights Arguments against Abortion
Rights Arguments for Abortion
Pro-Life & Pro-Choice in Dialogue
Rawlsian Justice & Abortion
Radical Justice & Abortion
Summary: Right to Life vs Right to Choose
Try It: Right to Life vs Right to Choose

Life Purpose & Being Prudent

Goals: Life Purpose & Being Prudent
Virtue & Abortion
Common Virtues & Worthwhile Life
Moral Wisdom & Abortion
Abortion & the Relativity of Virtue
Summary: Life Purpose & Being Prudent
Try It: Life Purpose & Being Prudent

May We Ever Kill Innocent Life?

Goals: May We Ever Kill Innocent Life?
Natural Law against Abortion
Natural Law for Abortion
Principle of Forfeiture
Principle of Double Effect
Summary of Natural Law Position
Summary: May We Ever Kill Innocent Life?
Try It: May We Ever Kill Innocent Life?

Commands, Covenants, Abortion

Goals: Commands, Covenants, Abortion
What Do Religious Americans Believe?
American Religions & Abortion
Reflecting: Religions & Abortion
Commands of God in the Bible
Covenantal Ethics & Abortion
Truthful Narrative in a Community of Virtue
Summary: Commands, Covenants, Abortion
Try It: Commands, Covenants, Abortion

Beyond Stereotypes?

Goals: Beyond Stereotypes?
Facts & Concepts
Status of the Fetus
Few Absolutists
Areas of Agreement
The Other Question
Summary: Beyond Stereotypes?
Try It: Beyond Stereotypes?

LGBT+

Vocabulary, History & Facts

Goals: Vocabulary, History & Facts
A National Controversy
Homosexuality: Basic Terms
Historical Views of Same-Sex Behavior
Psychological & Sociological Views
Nature or Nurture?
Legal Overview
Recent LGBT+ Issues
Summary: Vocabulary, History & Facts
Try It: Vocabulary, History & Facts

Being LGBT+: Harms & Benefits

Goals: Being LGBT+: Harms & Benefits
Conversation: Consequences
Consequences of Being LGBT+
Egoists, Psychology, LGBT+
Utilitarians, Psychology, LGBT+
Egoists, Health, LGBT+
Utilitarians, Health, LGBT+
Egoists, Society, LGBT+
Utilitarians, Society, LGBT+
Exploring Teleological Issues
Summary: Being LGBT+: Harms & Benefits
Try It: Being LGBT+: Harms & Benefits

Discrimination, Hate & Marriage

Goals: Discrimination, Hate & Marriage
Conversation: Fairness & Discrimination
LGBT+ Rights
Gay Bashing & Hate Crimes
Protection against Discrimination
Same-Sex Marriage
LGBT+ & Adoption
Justice & LGBT+
Teleology vs. Deontology
Summary: Discrimination, Hate & Marriage
Try It: Discrimination, Hate & Marriage

Can LGBT+ Persons Be Virtuous?

Goals: Can LGBT+ Persons Be Virtuous?
Two Imaginary Towns
Virtue & LGBT+ Persons
Virtuous Community & LGBT+ Persons
Moral Models
Summary: Can LGBT+ Persons Be Virtuous?
Try It: Can LGBT+ Persons Be Virtuous?

What Is Natural Sex?

Goals: What Is Natural Sex?
Conversation: Sex in Nature
Sex in Nature
Orientation vs. Behavior
Moral Purpose of Sex
Purpose of Sex in Human Beings
Natural Law for Same-Sex Orientation
Summary: What Is Natural Sex?
Try It: What Is Natural Sex?

Commands, Covenants, LGBT+

Goals: Commands, Covenants, LGBT+
Religion & Same-Sex Relations
Bible & Same-Sex Relations
Christian Scriptures & Same-Sex Relations
Creation, Idolatry, Same-Sex Relations
What Does God Command?
Covenantal Ethics & Same-Sex Relations
Convergence & Divergence
Summary: Commands, Covenants, LGBT+
Try It: Commands, Covenants, LGBT+

Progress in LGBT+ Rights

Goals: Progress in LGBT+ Rights
Apparent Progress
LGBT+ Discrimination in the Workplace
Religious Rights & LGBT+ Rights
Future of LGBT+ Discrimination
Summary: Progress in LGBT+ Rights
Try It: Progress in LGBT+ Rights

Capital Punishment

From Stoning to Lethal Injection

Goals: From Stoning to Lethal Injection
Parents on Death Penalty
Death Penalty: Key Terms
History of Death Penalty
Methods of Execution
Execution Complications
Students on Death Penalty
Update: Lethal Injection Protocols
Summary: From Stoning to Lethal Injection
Try It: From Stoning to Lethal Injection

Death Penalty: Costs & Benefits

Goals: Death Penalty: Costs & Benefits
Conversation: Deterrence, Prevention, Cost
Deterrence, Prevention, Cost
Death Penalty & Deterrence
Death Penalty vs. Life Imprisonment
Egoists & Death Penalty
Utilitarianism & Death Penalty
Questions for Teleological Ethics
Summary: Death Penalty: Costs & Benefits
Try It: Death Penalty: Costs & Benefits

Balancing Scales & Right to Life

Goals: Balancing Scales & Right to Life
Conversation: Retribution, Rights, Fairness
Retribution, Rights, Fairness
Kantian View of Retribution
Right to Life & Death Penalty
Wrongful Conviction & Death Penalty
Justice, Discrimination, Death Penalty
Summary: Balancing Scales & Right to Life
Try It: Balancing Scales & Right to Life

Stories of Two Fathers

Goals: Stories of Two Fathers
Personal Stories on the Death Penalty
A Father Seeks the Death Penalty
A Father Opposes the Death Penalty
Virtues & Death Penalty
What Would You Want?
Summary: Stories of Two Fathers
Try It: Stories of Two Fathers

Right to Punish & Right to Life

Goals: Right to Punish & Right to Life
Death Penalty: A Quote
Natural Law & Death Penalty
RIghtful Authority
Protection & Deterence
Moral Reform
Retribution
Summary: Right to Punish & Right to Life
Try It: Right to Punish & Right to Life

Bible, Covenants & Execution

Goals: Bible, Covenants & Execution
Religion & Death Penalty
Bible & Death Penalty
Covenantal Ethics & Death Penalty
Physician-Patient Covenant
Summary: Bible, Covenants & Execution
Try It: Bible, Covenants & Execution

Reconciling Differences

Goals: Reconciling Differences
Families of Murder Victims
Victims’ Rights
Retributive Justice & Restorative Justice
Right to Life, Abortion, Death Penalty
Summary: Reconciling Differences
Try It: Reconciling Differences

Euthanasia

What Is a Good Death?

Goals: What Is a Good Death?
Decisions at the End of Life
What Is Euthanasia?
What Is Death?
Brain Injuries
Futility
Legalities & Euthanasia
Quinlan & Cruzan
Repercussions: Advance Directives
Death with Dignity Act
Summary: What Is a Good Death?
Try It: What Is a Good Death?

Choosing Death: Harms & Benefits

Goals: Choosing Death: Harms & Benefits
Conversation: Physician Assisted Suicide
Conversation: Withdrawing Life Support
Egoists, Utilitarians, Euthanasia
Egoism & PAS
Egoism & PVS
Utilitarianism & PAS
Utilitarianism & PVS
Teleology & Euthanasia
Summary: Choosing Death: Harms & Benefits
Try It: Choosing Death: Harms & Benefits

Right to Life vs Right to Die

Goals: Right to Life vs Right to Die
Conflicting Rights
Rights Arguments against PAS
Questions about anti-PAS Rights Arguments
Alternative Kantian Approach to PAS
Kant against Removing Tube Feeding
Kant for Removing Tube Feeding
Rawlsian Justice for PAS
Rawlsian Justice against PAS
Surrogate Decisions & Advance Directives
Radical Justice & Euthanasia
Rights, Justice & Euthanasia
Summary: Right to Life vs Right to Die
Try It: Right to Life vs Right to Die

Four Stories of Euthanasia

Goals: Four Stories of Euthanasia
Euthanasia in the Headlines
Nancy Cruzan
Terri Schiavo
Virtues & Vices
Professional Integrity
Dr. Jack Kevorkian
Dr. Timothy Quill
Professional Virtues & Vices
Compassion, Foresight, Concord, Privacy
Summary: Four Stories of Euthanasia
Try It: Four Stories of Euthanasia

When Is Dying Natural?

Goals: When Is Dying Natural?
Conversations: Euthanasia
Three Euthanasia Cases
Euthanasia & Double Effect
Extraordinary & Ordinary Means
Natural Law & PAS
Natural Law in Medical Ethics
Summary: When Is Dying Natural?
Try It: When Is Dying Natural?

Is Euthanasia Playing God?

Goals: Is Euthanasia Playing God?
Religion & Euthanasia
Religious Insight into Euthanasia
Genesis, Exodus, Corinthians
Other Biblical References
Divine Command & PVS
Covenantal Ethics & Euthanasia
Covenant & PVS
Religion & Death
Summary: Is Euthanasia Playing God?
Try It: Is Euthanasia Playing God?

Responses to Euthanasia

Goals: Responses to Euthanasia
Shared Concerns & Responses
Advance Directives
Summary: Responses to Euthanasia
Try It: Responses to Euthanasia

Environment: Ailing Planet

Ecology, Pollution, Extinction

Goals: Ecology, Pollution, Extinction
Conversation: Environmental Footprints
Environment: Key Terms
Air Pollution
Water Pollution
Land Pollution
Plant & Animal Extinction
Summary: Ecology, Pollution, Extinction
Try It: Ecology, Pollution, Extinction

Consumption & Energy

Goals: Consumption & Energy
Resource Consumption
Biofuels
Alternative Energy & Transportation
Nuclear Energy
Geothermal & Wind Energy
Hydroelectric Energy
Solar Energy
Future of Energy
Moral Responsibility & Environment
Summary: Consumption & Energy
Try It: Consumption & Energy

Climate Change

Goals: Climate Change
Greenhouse Effect
Climate vs Weather
Global Warming
Kyoto Protocol
350 PPM
After the Kyoto Protocol
Summary: Climate Change
Try It: Climate Change

Diagnosing Our Environmental Ills

Goals: Diagnosing Our Environmental Ills
Religion & the Ecological Crisis
Response of American Religions
Stewardship
Divine Command & Environment
Biblical Biocentrism
Theocentrism
Covenant & Environment
Alternative Christian Views
Non-Western Religious Views
Implications of White’s Criticism
Summary: Diagnosing Our Environmental Ills
Try It: Diagnosing Our Environmental Ills

Environment: Ethical Cures

Anthropocentrism for the People

Goals: Anthropocentrism for the People
An Ecological Parable
Tragedy of the Commons
Egoism & Environment
Rights & Nonhumans
Kant & Environment
Rawls & Environment
Natural Law & Environment
Summary: Anthropocentrism for the People
Try It: Anthropocentrism for the People

Toward Ecocentrism for the Planet

Goals: Toward Ecocentrism for the Planet
Away from Anthropocentrism
Utilitarianism & Environment
Utilitarianism & Sentient Beings
Deep Ecology
Ecofeminism
Land Ethic
Biotic Pyramid
Summary: Saving People or Saving a Planet?
Try It: Saving People or Saving a Planet?

Ecocentric Virtue

Goals: Ecocentric Virtue
Virtue & Environment
Aldo Leopold
Legacy of Aldo Leopold
Virtues of Aldo Leopold
Ecological Role Model
Summary: Ecocentric Virtue
Try It: Ecocentric Virtue

Living an Ecocentric Worldview

Goals: Living an Ecocentric Worldview
Ecocentric Movements
Transition Communities
The Global Ecovillage Network
Life in an Ecovillage
Summary: Living an Ecocentric Worldview
Try It: Living an Ecocentric Worldview

Future Ethics

A Bit of Crystal Gazing

Goals: A Bit of Crystal Gazing
The Future of Our Ethics
Issues in the Near Future
COVID-19 Pandemic
Issues in the Distant Future
Summary: A Bit of Crystal Gazing
Try It: A Bit of Crystal Gazing

About the Author: Paul Custodio Bube, Ph.D. (Lyon College)

Paul Custodio Bube is the W. Lewis McColgan Professor of Religion at Lyon College, Arkansas. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California and his A.B. from the University of Notre Dame. Prof. Bube has written books and articles in the areas of religious ethics, environmental ethics, and process theology. Since 2014, he has been travelling to China working with a group of scholars and activists who are promoting social and spiritual change toward achieving ecological civilization. He has taught courses in applied ethics for over thirty years.