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Informationen zum Autor Jamie Carlin Watson is Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Chair of the Department of Religion and Philosophy at Young Harris College, Young Harris, Georgia. He has published in the fields of philosophy of science and popular culture and philosophy. His current research is in the epistemology of a priori justification. Robert Arp taught aspects of philosophy at several colleges and universities, including Southwest Minnesota State University, Florida State University, and Saint Louis University. He has published works in many philosophical areas, including philosophy of biology, philosophy of mind, and popular culture and philosophy. Klappentext What's Good on TV? Understanding Ethics Through Television presents an introduction to the basic theories and concepts of moral philosophy using concrete examples from classic and contemporary television shows.* Utilizes clear examples from popular contemporary and classic television shows, such as The Office, Law and Order, Star Trek and Family Guy, to illustrate complex philosophical concepts* Designed to be used as a stand-alone or supplementary introductory ethics text* Features case studies, study questions, and suggested readings* Episodes mentioned are from a wide variety of television shows, and are easily accessible* Offers a balanced treatment of a number of controversial ethical issues including environmental ethics, animal welfare, abortion, homosexuality, capital punishment, assisted suicide, censorship and the erosion of values* Visit the companion website at www.whatsgoodontv.webs.com Zusammenfassung It should come as no surprise that some of the most abstract philosophical ideas are often easier absorbed with examples drawn from popular culture. What s Good on TV? presents an introduction to the basic theories and concepts of moral philosophy using concrete examples from classic and contemporary television shows. Inhaltsverzeichnis Preface xi The Pilot Episode: Ethics and Popular Culture 1 What is Ethics? 1 How Do We Make Progress in Ethics ? 9 What Does Pop Culture Have to Do with Ethics? 29 Series I. Is Anything "Good" on Television? The Nature of Moral Value Episode 1: Truth and Nihilism in Ethics 33 Introduction 33 The case for nihilism 39 J. L. Mackie, "The Argument from Queerness," from Ethics: Inventing Right and Wrong 39 The case for realism 41 C. S. Lewis, from Mere Christianity 41 Case study: The Office (UK), "Work Experience," series 1 43 Study questions 45 Alternative case studies 46 Episode 2: Normativity - Social, Legal, and Moral 47 Introduction 47 You promised to play by the rules! 50 John Rawls, "Legal Obligation and the Duty of Fair Play" 50 What does my neighbor have to do with my goodness? 55 John Stuart Mill, "Of the Limits to the Authority of Society over the Individual" from On Liberty 55 Case study: The Sopranos, "College," season 1 57 Study questions 60 Alternative case studies 60 Episode 3: God and Ethics 61 Introduction 61 What has Athens to do with Jerusalem? 65 Plato, Euthyphro 65 Does God make the law or does he just let us in on it? 69 C. S. Lewis, from The Problem of Pain 69 Case study: Law & Order, "God Bless the Child," season 2 73 Study questions 75 Alternative case studies 76 Series II. What's Right and Wrong? Ethical Theory Episode 4: Moral Relativism 79 Introduction 79 Are we merely products of our culture? 83 Ruth Benedict, "A Defense of Ethical Relativism" 83 Relativism is unjustified 86 James Rachels, "The Challenge of Cultural Relativism" 86 Case study 1: Deadwood, "Childish Things," season 2 91
