Thomas L. Carson è un professore di filosofia il cui lavoro si addentra principalmente nell'etica e nella filosofia morale. Esamina criticamente questioni complesse all'interno dell'etica applicata e della filosofia dell'azione, esplorando i principi fondamentali del processo decisionale morale e le loro implicazioni sociali. L'approccio di Carson è caratterizzato da rigorosi metodi analitici e da un profondo impegno nei confronti dei dilemmi etici.
This book explores the author's struggle with moral relativism in ethics education, prompted by students' skepticism. It presents a nuanced position between minimal objectivism and moderate relativism, arguing against extreme irrationalism while acknowledging the challenges in defending strong objectivist views without bias.
Exploring the concept of "the good life," Thomas Carson critiques established philosophical theories, including hedonism and preference-satisfaction, while introducing a divine-preference theory of value. He challenges assumptions about moral realism and engages with classical ideas from Mill, Sidgwick, Nietzsche, and Aristotle. By employing thought experiments, Carson invites readers to clarify their values. His argument posits that goodness is determined by either divine preferences, if a benevolent God exists, or by human desires in the absence of such a deity, providing a fresh perspective on a timeless question.
The book delves into the moral implications of lying and deception, presenting a strong argument for a moral presumption against harmful dishonesty. Through case studies from various fields such as business, politics, and history, it explores the complexities surrounding these concepts. Additionally, the author provides a nuanced defense of honesty as a virtue, making the work a thorough examination of ethical considerations related to truthfulness.