This book has helped me sort out the basic issues and positions on the most important moral issues we face today. It includes major historical positions from both secular and religious viewpoints. The presentations of such topics as medical ethics, sexual ethics, and areas of social ethics illuminate fundamental issues that will remain pertinent for every person in all cultures. I now understand what I must consider as I give thought to personal and social ethical concerns. An up-to-date bibliography is provided along with excellent internet links. As a retired high school math teacher, I was looking for a survey that was solid academically yet readable without taking a course. This book is the answer!

This book has helped me sort out the basic issues and positions on the most important moral issues we face today. It includes major historical positions from both secular and religious viewpoints. An up-to-date bibliography is provided along with excellent internet links. As a retired high school math teacher, I was looking for a survey of personal and social ethics that was solid academically yet readable without taking a course. This book is the answer!

Received by Dr. Nolan from one of the translators on November 20, 2000:

I am sure that you would be pleased to know that your book has been read in many universities in China, because it was one of the first few Western books on applying ethics that were introduced to the Chinese. For this, I am deeply grateful to you.

Best wishes

Xinzhong Yao, Ph.D. Chairman, Dept. of Theology and Religious Studies University of Wales, Lampeter Ceredigion SA48 7ED UK

As a new student of philosophy, I must admit that I was assigned this title as a text in class. Though, as text books go, it is suprisingly thin (450 pages), it is packed with definitions, explanation, comparisons, and reflections. I found it easy to read, and most enjoyed the separate introductions (with quotes) of nearly all leading philosophers throughout history. Also very helpful, the suggested readings (at the end of every chapter) allow you to immediately find sources of greater substance on very specific subjects. The authors even included brief descriptions of each book, to further narrow your search. I would have to rate it as the best textbook yet, on a difficult subject to introduce in a cohesive manner! I will be reading other texts by these authors - without being assigned to them!