Oxford University Press has just published the third edition of Professor Anthony Weston’s ethics textbook, A 21st Century Ethical Toolbox. First appearing in 2001, Weston’s text is now widely used in American colleges and universities, both in philosophy departments and in “ethics across the curriculum” programs.
The publisher’s description begins: “Thoroughly optimistic, A 21st Century Ethical Toolbox… invites students to approach ethical issues with a reconstructive intent–to make room for more and better options than the rigid ‘pro’ and ‘con’ positions that have developed around tough problems like abortion and environmental ethics.”
Toolbox is mostly single-authored but also includes a wide range of short readings and exercises from classical and contemporary philosophers, community activists, students and other essayists, including Professors Martin Fowler and Nim Batchelor from Elon’s Department of Philosophy, Professor Emeritus John Sullivan, and philosophy major maggie castor ’12.