📖 Overview
The International Encyclopedia of Ethics is a comprehensive 11-volume reference work edited by Hugh LaFollette that covers the full scope of ethical theory and moral philosophy. The encyclopedia received Honorable Mention from the Research User Services Association for Best Reference Work of 2013.
The work features contributions from leading scholars and philosophers, examining topics from applied ethics to metaethics, moral psychology, and the history of ethical thought. Entries range from foundational concepts to contemporary ethical issues, providing detailed analysis and scholarly discussion of each subject.
The encyclopedia serves as both an academic resource and a practical guide, connecting theoretical frameworks with real-world ethical challenges. Its scope and depth have earned praise from notable philosophers including Peter Singer, John Martin Fischer, and Larry S. Temkin.
The work represents a significant contribution to ethical scholarship, offering a systematic exploration of how moral principles and reasoning shape human behavior and social structures. Its organization and accessibility make it valuable for researchers, students, and practitioners in philosophy, law, medicine, and related fields.
👀 Reviews
This appears to be an academic reference work with limited public reader reviews available online. The few academic reviews note its comprehensive coverage of ethical theories and applied ethics topics across its 9 volumes.
What readers liked:
- Detail and depth of entries written by subject matter experts
- Clear organization and cross-referencing
- Coverage of both historical and contemporary ethical issues
What readers disliked:
- High price point (often cited as barrier to individual purchase)
- Physical size makes it impractical for personal use
- Some articles are complex for undergraduate level
Available Ratings:
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The book seems to be primarily held by university libraries rather than individual readers. Most discussion appears in academic journal reviews rather than consumer reviews. The print version retails for over $1000, while institutional access to the online version requires subscription.
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🤔 Interesting facts
🔹 LaFollette has served as the Cole Chair in Ethics at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, where he made significant contributions to environmental and social ethics.
🔹 The encyclopedia's development involved over 900 scholars from 60 different countries, making it one of the most internationally diverse ethics reference works ever published.
🔹 At 11 volumes and approximately 8,000 pages, it's currently the largest single reference work dedicated exclusively to ethics and moral philosophy.
🔹 The project took seven years to complete from conception to publication, with each article undergoing multiple rounds of peer review.
🔹 Beyond traditional philosophical ethics, the encyclopedia broke new ground by including entries on emerging fields like robot ethics, social media ethics, and environmental justice.