ETHICS: An Introduction to Moral Philosophy

by William A. Banner ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 25, 1968

This ""introduction to moral philosophy"" is, in reality, what the Schoolmen, in an age more concerned with terminological precision, would have called a ""statement of the ethical question."" That is, it is not the exposition of a particular ethical system, but the definition of ethics' traditional scope and significance, and a survey of the historical development of ethical science in the Christian era from Augustine to the existentialists. The book, while brief, is adequate in its coverage of the main lines of the evolution of moral science, and, with the exception of the introductory chapter on ""The Realm of Morals,"" it is uniformly well organized and clearly written. It cannot compare, however, either in depth of analysis or strength of synthesis, with Vernon Bourke's recent History of Ethics (p. 327) and the teacher as well as the student must still be referred to the latter work as the standard. Banner's only advantages are his comparative brevity and his superior lists of suggested readings.

Pub Date: June 25, 1968

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Scribners

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1968

Categories: NONFICTION