Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides an introduction to moral philosophy and isn't meant to be the last word on the subject. It considers views about the nature and methodology of ethics. Reasoning in philosophy resembles reasoning in other areas. Philosophy doesn't argue from religious revelation or tradition. Moral philosophy (ethics) is reasoning about the big questions of morality. It can enrich the professional and parental lives. Moral philosophy can improve the moral thinking. Philosophy majors do awesomely well on standardized exams for getting into graduate programs in law, business, and medicine. Philosophy teaches us to think rigorously, understand and evaluate conflicting points of view, express ideas clearly, and reason carefully. The book describes a practical approach to moral rationality that stresses consistency and the golden rule.