Ethics Comprehensive Exam Reading List

(An asterisk* indicates that the work is available, in whole or suitable abridgment, in Ethics: History: Theory, and Contemporary Issues, 3rd Edition, eds. Steven M. Cahn and Peter Markie (New York: Oxford University Press, 2006.)

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1. Classical Readings Ethical Theory
   1. Plato, Euthyphro*, Republic*, Gorgias, Protagoras
   2. Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics*
   3. Epicurus, Letter to Menoceus*, Leading Doctrines*
   4. Epictetus, Enchiridion*
   5. Aquinas, Summa Contra Gentiles*
   6. Hobbes, Leviathan*
   7. Butler, Fifteen Sermons*
   8. Hume, An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals*; A Treatise of Human Nature, Book II, Part III, Sect. 3; Book III, Part I
   9. Kant, Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysics of Morals*
   10. Bentham, An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation*
   11. Mill, Utilitarianism*
   12. Nietzsche, On the Genealogy of Morals, First and Second Essays
2. Contemporary Readings in Ethical Theory
1. Frankena, Ethics, 2nd Ed. (Prentice-Hall, 1973)
2. Moore, Principia Ethica*
3. Prichard, "Does Moral Philosophy Rest on a Mistake?"*
4. Ross, The Right and the Good*
5. Ayer, Language, Truth ,and Logic*
6. Stevenson, "The Emotive Meaning of Ethical Terms"*
7. Hare, Freedom and Reason*
8. Baier, "The Point of View of Morality"*
9. Rawls, A Theory of Justice*
10. Gauthier, "Why Contractarianism?"*
11. Feinberg, "Psychological Egoism"*
12. Foot, "Morality as a System of Hypothetical Imperatives"*
13. Brandt, "Some Merits of One Form of Rule Utilitarianism"*
14. Williams, "A Critique of Utilitarianism"*
15. Gibbard, "Moral Judgment and the Acceptance of Norms"*
16. Harman, "The Nature of Morality"*
17. Sturgeon, "Moral Explanations"*
18. Nussbaum, "Non-Relative Virtues: An Aristotelian Approach"*
19. Held, "Reason, Gender, and Moral Theory"*
20. Nagel, "Moral Luck"*
3. Contemporary Issues in Ethics
1. Thomson, "A Defense of Abortion"*
2. Warren, "On the Moral and Legal Status of Abortion"*
3. Marquis, "An Argument That Abortion Is Wrong"*
4. Hursthouse, "Virtue Theory and Abortion"*
5. Rachels, "Active and Passive Euthanasia"*
6. Foot, "Killing and Letting Die"*
7. Singer, "Famine, Affluence, and Morality"*
8. Arthur, "Famine Relief and the Ideal Moral Code"*
9. Thomson, "The Trolley Problem"*

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