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Against moral theories: reply to Benatar.
1Inter-disciplinary Ethics Applied, University of Leeds, 8-12 Fenton Street, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK. r.s.lawlor@leeds.ac.uk
Journal of Medical Ethics
|November 1, 2008
Summary
This paper addresses the role of moral theories in teaching applied ethics. It offers alternative approaches to Benatar’s suggestions, aiming for more effective and cost-efficient methods in ethics education.
Area of Science:
- Ethics Education
- Moral Philosophy
- Pedagogy
Background:
- The article "Moral Theories in Teaching Applied Ethics" is critically examined.
- David Benatar's arguments regarding the overlooked roles of moral theories in applied ethics teaching are considered.
Discussion:
- This response evaluates Benatar's suggested cases for incorporating moral theories into applied ethics teaching.
- Alternative pedagogical approaches are proposed to mitigate the costs and enhance the effectiveness of ethics instruction.
Key Insights:
- Proposed methods aim to integrate moral theories more effectively into applied ethics curricula.
- The suggested alternatives seek to balance theoretical depth with practical pedagogical considerations.
Outlook:
- Further exploration of optimized strategies for moral theory integration in ethics education.
- Enhancing the practical application and cost-effectiveness of teaching moral theories.
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