Kant and Applied Ethics

MATTHEW C. ALTMANThe author is an assistant professor of philosophy and director of the William O. Douglas Honors College at Central Washington University. He is the author of A Companion to Kant's "Critique of Pure Reason" (2008) as well as many articles in ethics, applied ethics, social/political philosophy, and the history of philosophy.

“This is a competent, clear, and evenhanded assessment of the relevance of Kant’s thought for current moral debates.  Summing Up: Recommended.  Lower-level undergraduates through researchers/faculty.”  (Choice, 1 October 2012)“Kant and Applied Ethics is a stimulating attempt to assess the relevance of Kantian theory for contemporary moral problems. Kantian moral philosophers will find much to disagree with, but there is no doubt that the book raises important puzzles for Kantian moral theory. Those unpersuaded by Kantian theory may find ammunition to use against Kantianism. Those who wish to defend Kant's theory may find a helpful formulation of some serious challenges to Kant's moral philosophy.”  (Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews, 30 June 2012)

• Preface viNote on Sources and Key to Abbreviations viiiIntroduction: Why Kant Now 1Part I. Applying Kant’s Ethics 111. Animal Suffering and Moral Character 132. Kant’s Strategic Importance for Environmental Ethics 453. Moral and Legal Arguments for Universal Health Care 714. The Scope of Patient Autonomy 90Part II. Kantian Arguments against Kant’s Conclusions 1155. Subjecting Ourselves to Capital Punishment 1176. Same-Sex Marriage as a Means to Mutual Respect 139Part III. Limitations of Kant’s Theory 1657. Consent, Mail-Order Brides, and the Marriage Contract 1678. Individual Maxims and Social Justice 1949. The Decomposition of the Corporate Body 21710. Becoming a Person 241Conclusion: Emerging from Kant’s Long Shadow 283Bibliography 289Index 311