Publisher's Synopsis
The Science of Ethics, written by Leslie Stephen and first published in 1907, is a comprehensive exploration of the philosophical foundations of ethical theory. Stephen, a noted philosopher and literary critic, draws on a wide range of sources, including ancient Greek philosophy, Christian theology, and contemporary scientific discoveries, to build a rigorous and systematic account of morality and its place in human life.The book is divided into three parts. Part One examines the nature of ethics and the various theories that have been proposed to explain it, including utilitarianism, deontological ethics, and virtue ethics. Stephen critically evaluates each of these theories, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses and offering his own insights into the nature of moral reasoning.Part Two focuses on the relationship between ethics and religion, exploring the ways in which religious beliefs and practices have shaped moral thinking throughout history. Stephen examines the role of religion in providing moral guidance, the relationship between faith and reason, and the challenges posed by religious diversity and skepticism.In Part Three, Stephen turns his attention to the practical applications of ethical theory, exploring the ways in which moral principles can be applied to real-world situations. He considers a range of ethical issues, including the ethics of war, the morality of punishment, and the responsibilities of individuals and governments in promoting justice and equality.Throughout the book, Stephen brings his characteristic clarity and depth of insight to bear on some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. The Science of Ethics remains a seminal work in the field of moral philosophy, offering readers a rich and thought-provoking exploration of the nature of ethics and its place in our lives.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
