1st Edition
Ethical Theory 50 Puzzles, Paradoxes, and Thought Experiments
In this new kind of introduction to ethical theory, Daniel Muñoz and Sarah Stroud present 50 of the field’s most exciting puzzles, paradoxes, and thought experiments. Over the course of 11 chapters, the authors cover a huge variety of topics, starting with the classic debate between utilitarians and deontologists and ending on existential questions about the future of humanity.
Every chapter begins with a helpful introduction, and each of the 50 entries includes references for further reading and questions for reflection. Among the entries are such classics as the Ring of Gyges, Jim and the Villagers, the Repugnant Conclusion, JoJo, “One Thought Too Many,” the Miners Puzzle, the Gentle Murder Paradox, Nowheresville, the Experience Machine, and the Trolley Problem. The book also explores several more recent topics of interest, such as doxastic wronging and the ethics of AI, so that even advanced students are likely to discover something new. Each entry can be read on its own, and the writing is accessible and conversational throughout, making this an ideal resource for undergraduate teaching. Readers at any level can pick up this book and see for themselves how fascinating—and puzzling—ethical theory can be.
Key Features:
- Offers 50 puzzles, paradoxes, and thought experiments, with every entry including the following elements:
- Presentation of the case
- Discussion of responses to and implications of the case
- A reading list which cites the classic presentation of the case and recommends several other treatments or responses
- Questions for reflection
- Coverage of each of the 50 is self-contained, allowing students to quickly understand an issue and giving instructors flexibility in assigning readings to match the themes of the course.
- Additional pedagogical features include a general volume introduction as well as smaller introductions to each of the 11 larger, topic-oriented chapters.
Introduction
1. Utility and Consequences
1. George and the Bioweapons
2. The Utility Monster
3. Parfit’s Harmless Torturers
4. Infinite Utility
5. World Cup Accident
2. Killing, Letting Die, and Trolley Problems
6. The Trolley Problem, Part I: Bystander at the Switch
7. The Trolley Problem, Part II: Footbridge
8. Drowning and Letting Drown
9. The Tactical Bomber and the Terror Bomber
10. The Trolley Problem, Part III: The Meta-Trolley Problem
3. Puzzles about Rights
11. The Paradox of Deontology
12. Nowheresville
13. Thomson’s Violinist
14. Feinberg’s Cabin
15. The Paradox of Self-Release
4. Partiality
16. Singer’s Pond
17. David and the Scarce Drug (The Numbers Problem)
18. The Third Man
19. The Archbishop and the Valet
20. One Thought Too Many
5. Moral Dilemmas
21. Kant’s Murderer at the Door
22. Jim and the Villagers
23. Sophie’s Choice
24. The Gentle Murder Paradox
6. Supererogation
25. The Paradox of Supererogation
26. The All or Nothing Problem
27. Kamm’s Intransitivity Paradox
28. What’s Wrong with Exploitation?
7. Well-Being and Value
29. The Experience Machine
30. Should We Wish for Immortality?
31. Should We Fear Death?
32. Moore’s Beautiful World
33. Sweetening
8. Moral Psychology and Motivation
34. The Ring of Gyges
35. Moral Worth
36. Augustine’s Pears
37. The Deferential Wife
9. Moral Responsibility
38. Frankfurt Cases
39. Wolf’s JoJo
40. The Paradox of Forgiveness
41. Moral Luck (The Lorry Driver)
10. Belief and Ignorance
42. Wronging by Believing?
43. The Miners Puzzle
44. Moral Uncertainty
45. Cluelessness
11. Future Generations
46. Ex Machina and the Future of AI
47. Children of Men
48. The Procreation Asymmetry
49. The Non-Identity Problem
50. The Repugnant Conclusion.
Index
Biography
Daniel Muñoz is Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Core Faculty in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA. He received his PhD from MIT in 2019, and is writing a book about the foundations of deontology entitled What We Owe to Ourselves.
Sarah Stroud is Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Parr Center for Ethics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA. She has published widely in ethical theory, moral psychology, and metaethics and was a co-editor (with Hugh LaFollette, Editor-in-Chief, and John Deigh) of The International Encyclopedia of Ethics (9 volumes; 2013).
