Waveland Press - Morality Play - Case Studies in Ethics, Second Edition, by Jessica Pierce

Morality Play is an ideal supplement for ethics courses, offering a case study approach that is both flexible and practical. It provides three alternative methods of organization for universal teaching approaches: contemporary moral problems, ethical theories, and moral principles. The introduction illustrates how to effectively use case studies in the classroom and provides a short review of the fundamentals of argumentation and critical thinking.

Featuring ten new case studies, the latest edition continues to spotlight some of the most controversial, thought-provoking issues in ethics today. Themes such as crime and punishment, life and death, habitat and humanity, liberty and coercion, and value and culture are made relevant through insightful case studies drawn from newspaper accounts, legal opinions, and other factual sources. The cases present discrete problems designed to make readers examine their abstract notions about morality.

“I used excerpts from this book effectively and would do so again. The cases chosen were highly stimulating and thought-provoking for my students and the alternate tables of contents were helpful to me.” — Joseph Forte, Rivier University

“Tons of really interesting cases. They will keep my students busy and energized and learning ethical reasoning.” — Lex Woodbury, Western Iowa Tech Community College

“I love the reasonable price as well as the fine range of ethical issues with student-friendly language.” — David R. Bishop, Pima Community College

“Some of the selections included reflect a new take on the same old terrain—much appreciated from an instructor’s viewpoint!” — Tayo Basquiat, Bismarck State College

“Superlative collection of case studies!” — Anne T. Cahill, Old Dominion University

“An outstanding compilation of brief readings in the form of case studies with appropriate discussion questions. The topical and theory-based tables of contents allow the case studies and questions accessibility to any instructional approach. A most useful, comprehensive, yet inexpensive ethical assist.” —Phillip Lioi, Polk State College

“Very practical and relevant. These cases are not merely educational, they are also challenging and designed to stimulate discussion.” —Isaiah Nengean, Des Moines Area Community College

“I really love the way Dr. Pierce writes. It makes the text insightful and accessible at the same time. I predict that students taking a philosophy course for the first time will really enjoy reading this book, as well as participating in the discussions of the cases.” —Candace Gauthier, University of North Carolina, Wilmington

Introduction
Why Think about Morality? / Using Case Studies to Think about Morality / Morality Play / Ethical Argumentation (and Arguing Ethically) / Pluralism, Relativism, and Absolutism / A Quick Review of Critical Thinking

1. Crime and Punishment
Stanley "Tookie" Williams and the Problem of Redemption / The Execution of Scott Hain, Juvenile Offender / The Bible Used in Conviction / Chemical Castration for Male Sex Offenders / Vicarious Sensitization / Torture of a Kidnapper / Three Nuns and a Silo / Stealing from the Wishing Well / The Consenting Victim / Execution of an Abortion Provider's Killer / White-Collar Crime / White-Collar Crime, Take Two: Atlantic States Foundry / No Lie MRI

2. Life and Death
Elder Suicide or Dignified Exit? A Letter from Ohio / Exit Bags / Fetal Rights and the Fetus as Person: The Case of J.D.S. / Fetal Rights, Take Two: Unborn Victims of Violence Act / Fetal Rights, Take Three: Drug Abuse and Fetal Abuse / Fetal Rights, Take Four: Sextuplets / Zero Population Growth / Suicide Concert / Age-Based Cost Studies / Medical Care for Prisoners / Medical Care for Prisoners, Take Two: Donor Heart Goes to a Criminal / Medical Care for Prisoners, Take Three: Organ Transplant for Death Row Inmate / Fetal Testing for Down Syndrome / Age-Extension Research / The Schiavos

3. Habitat and Humanity
Troublesome Trinkets / Famine in Africa / A-Hunting We Will Go . . . / GloFish / Taking Your Pet to the Grave with You / Ecoterrorism: Kill the Hummers! / War Is Terrorism / Would Pain-Free Animals Be Guilt Free, Too? / Dolphin Parks / Eating Sea Turtles / PBDEs and the Precautionary Principle / Canned Hunts / Zoos and Euthanasia / Cosmetic Surgery for Pets / O Canada, How Could You? / Grilled Dog

4. Liberty and Coercion
DanceSafe: Making Ecstasy Safer for Partiers / Obesity: Personal or Political? / Worried about Harry Potter / Walmart Keeps Its Shelves Clean / License-Plate Liberties / Pledge of Allegiance / Ed Rosenthal and Medical Marijuana / Cameras Watching Students / High School Tells Student to Remove Anti-War T-Shirt / CRACK—Get Sterilized, Get Cash / Shame Campaign / "Let Those Who Ride Decide": Motorcycle Helmet Laws and Biker Rights / USA Patriot Act / The Right to Be Forgotten

5. Value and Culture
Same-Sex Unions and the Defense of Marriage / Gay Sex and Adultery / Sex Education in Schools / Evolution vs. Creationism in Public Schools / Evolution, Take Two: Professor Dini's Recommendation / Growth Hormone for Shortness / Abortion and Fetal Heartbeat / Sports Supplementation: Fair or Foul? / Sports Supplementation, Take Two: Ross Rebagliati / Extreme Makeover / Extreme Makeover, Take Two: Human Barbie / Culture Wars / Bright Rights / A Call to Civil Society / Ethics for the Information Age: The SCANS Report / Character Education of Children / Character Education of Children, Take Two: Georgia's "Respect for the Creator" Principle / Rigoberta Menchú: The Purpose of Truth