The Moral of the Story: An Anthology of Ethics Through Literature

By Peter Singer

Book Overview

In The Moral of the Story, Peter and Renata Singer draw on some of the best works of fiction, playwriting, and poetry in order to shed light on the perennial questions of ethics. A vivid montage of literature that touches on a broad range of ethical subjects and themes Offers a unique contribution to the study of moral philosophy and literature Demonstrates how literary sources can add richness to discussions of real-life moral questions and dilemmas Brings together selections and excerpts from the world's most celebrated short stories, novels, plays, and poetry Features substantive section introductions by Peter and Renata Singer Peter Singer is a leading moral philosopher, widely credited with triggering the modern animal-rights movement. His collection of essays, Unsanctifying Human Life, edited by Helga Kuhse, was published by Blackwell Publishing in 2001.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1405105844
• ISBN13: 9781405105842
• Release Date: February 2005
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Length: 640 Pages
• Weight: 2.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.7" x 9.7"

Customer Reviews

Unexpected treasure

For a beginner in the study of ethics like myself this was a superb alternative to a dry textbook. I was surprised to find excerpts from books that I have already read and liked ("The Good German" by Joseph Kannon being such example), and see notes by Singer & Singer as to why the issue was chosen and what questions were posed. The fact that Peter Singer, an avowed utilitarianist, included a short story by Ursula LeGuin ("The Ones who walk away from Omelas")which could be seen as contrasting the "greater good to all achieved at the expense of harm to one" with "absolute rights of one and of all", was not lost on me. Much recommended.

Good way to find books you want to read by previewing them

This book was for a class in college and I ended up really liking it. It is a bunch of short stories and parts of books so it was a good way to find some more books that I would like to read in the future. It was also very interesting. I would definently recommend it.

unusual, provocative collection

This book is a refreshing departure from most Ethics textbooks. Singer and Singer have collected 79 readings--poems, short stories, and excerpts from novels--which they use as a way to get readers to think about interesting moral issues. The stories make the issues concrete, make them come to life, and are usually effective at drawing the reader into the situation. The book is divided into 15 sections. Each section has a three or four page introduction that gives a philosophical overview, then four or five readings for each section explore these issues in specific detail. The real strength of the book is the range of the readings. Highlights include: Invisible Man, Bonfire of the Vanities, The Soft-Hearted Sioux, The Model, Mrs Warren's Profession, Enduring Love, How to be Good, The Undesirable Table, The Limits of Trooghaft, Robinson Crusoe, Huckleberry Finn, The Third Man, This Way for the Gas, The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas, The Remains of the Day, To Kill a Mockingbird, Brave New World, and The Princess Casamassima. Highly recommended.