The Right Thing to Do: Basic Readings in Moral Philosophy

The Right Thing to Do is an anthology of moral philosophy readings curated by James Rachels. The collection presents key philosophical texts and arguments about ethics, morality, and human behavior from both historical and contemporary thinkers. The book includes writings from philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, Kant, and Mill, alongside modern perspectives on pressing ethical issues. Through these selections, readers encounter fundamental questions about right and wrong, justice, human rights, and moral responsibility. Each reading contains an introduction by Rachels that provides context and background for the philosophical work. The selections progress from classical ethical frameworks to specific moral problems and debates relevant to current society. This collection serves as an examination of how humans determine moral truth and apply ethical principles to real-world situations. The diverse philosophical perspectives offer frameworks for analyzing difficult moral choices while highlighting the complexity of determining "the right thing to do."

Readers value this textbook as an introduction to moral philosophy that presents complex ideas in clear language. Students note it works well alongside Rachels' "Elements of Moral Philosophy" as a companion reader. Liked: - Diverse selection of readings from multiple perspectives - Clear organization by topic - Accessible writing style for beginners - Real-world examples and case studies - Reasonable length for course assignments Disliked: - Some readings feel dated or oversimplified - Limited coverage of non-Western philosophy - Redundant content if used with other Rachels texts - Lacks depth on contemporary ethical issues Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (244 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (103 reviews) "Perfect balance between readability and intellectual rigor," notes one Amazon reviewer. Another comments: "Good intro text but needs more diverse viewpoints." Several students mention the book helped them understand ethical frameworks without getting lost in technical language.

Ethics: Theory and Contemporary Issues by Stephen Schwarzman This text presents ethical theories alongside real-world cases and modern moral dilemmas.

Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do? by Michael Sandel The book examines moral and political philosophy through contemporary debates on markets, democracy, and rights.

The Elements of Moral Philosophy by James Rachels The text breaks down complex moral theories into fundamental components through examples from history and current events.

Ethics: History, Theory, and Contemporary Issues by Steven M. Cahn This collection combines classical ethical texts with contemporary moral arguments and applied ethics.

Contemporary Moral Problems by James White The book connects ethical theory to current social issues including technology, war, and environmental concerns.

🔸 James Rachels wrote the first major textbook on animal rights and ethics, introducing many students to the concept that animals deserve moral consideration beyond their utility to humans. 🔸 The book includes Peter Singer's groundbreaking essay "Famine, Affluence, and Morality," which sparked the effective altruism movement and influenced how we think about global poverty. 🔸 Rachels challenged the traditional medical definition of death in his work, leading to important debates about organ donation and end-of-life care that influenced hospital policies. 🔸 The first edition was published in 1989, and the book has been updated seven times to include contemporary moral issues, making it one of the longest-running philosophy textbooks still in active use. 🔸 Though primarily an ethics textbook, the book has been cited in legal cases involving euthanasia and animal rights, demonstrating its influence beyond academic philosophy.