Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Ethical Questions: East and West (Philosophy and the Global Context)

Ethical Questions: East and West is an anthology of source material from various Eastern and Western traditions, addressing fundamental and enduring questions in moral philosophy. It is intended for use in undergraduate level comparative ethics courses. Each section begins with an introductory essay in which the leading ethical questions and their responses from different traditions are presented in overview. Sections are centered around ethical questions such as, Who Am I? What Ought I to Do? What Kind of Person Ought I to Be? Questions of religion and morality, freedom, and the just society are also included. Ancient and modern sources are examined, ranging from the Buddha, Aristotle, and Upanishads to Kant, Simone de Beauvoir, and Alasdair MacIntyre. Ethical Questions provides a comprehensive, comparative introduction to key ethical concepts, stressing the importance of diverse traditions in the global community, and encouraging understanding between and among traditions. Review This is just the sort of volume that I would use as a textbook to introduce undergraduate students to the variety of ways the central questions of ethics were formulated and answered in the major philosophical traditions. The selections are well-chosen, and the introductory essays are excellent.--J. N. Mohanty, Temple UniversityBina Gupta's new book of readings, Ethical Questions: East and West, is a welcome addition to the literature in comparative philosophy. Professor Gupta breaks interesting philosophical ground with this text of well-chosen and highly readable classics drawn from the world's ethical literature.--A.L. Herman, Professor Emeritus, University of Wisconsin-Stevens PointEthical Questions: East and West is an excellent choice for anyone wishing to teach an ethics course spanning Eastern and Western traditions. Instructors not familiar with Eastern thought will learn as much from the well-written introductions as their students.--Gene James, University of Memphis Synopsis Eastern philosophy represents one of the most ancient intellectual traditions of human culture, yet it is generally ignored by Western philosophers. Today more than ever the need for understanding in a global community should be stressed as the scope, scale and complexity of social changes increase. Bina Gupta strives to obtain a harmonious balance between the two traditions in her book "Ethical Questions". Both ancient and modern sources - such as the Buddha, Aristotle, the Upanishads, Simone de Beauvoir, Kant and Alasdair Macintyre - are used as selections of the various traditions. Gupta comments on each section, introducing the sources' insights on long-outstanding questions such as: Who am I? What is the meaning of life? How ought I to act? The different perspectives on the convergence of human interest at the foundation for all moral thinking bring light to that which binds humankind together. True understanding of the other requires respect for the other. Only when this is present can different traditions exist harmoniously. About the Author Bina Gupta is professor of philosophy and director of the South Asia Studies Area and Language Center at the University of Missouri, and co-editor with J. N. Mohanty of Philosophical Questions: East and West (Rowman & Littlefield, 2000).