Classical Ethics

Book excerpt: "Classical Ethics" is a thorough and well-balanced compendium of Western and non-Western ethical systems in a multicultural historical framework. Zeuschner focuses on the key concepts and presumptions of 13 major philosophers from around the world. He utilizes a systematic approach in his writing that describes the basic components of each system and discusses how each has maintained its appeal for so many centuries. In this text, Western tradition is represented by major classical figures: Socrates and Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, St. Augustine, Aquinas, Butler, Hume, Kant, and Mill. Eastern ethical tradition is represented by Indian Buddhist ethics, Chinese Confucian ethics, and Chinese Taoist ethics of Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu. This work broadens a student's perspective and enriches one's understanding of ethical principles as they occur and have developed historically in different cultural contexts. Robert Zeuschner teaches Philosophy at Pasadena City College. He received his Ph.D. in Asian and Comparative Philosophy from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and has taught at Occidental College, University of California, University of Southern California, and several Hawaiian institutions. He has published translations of Chinese Buddhist texts and numerous articles in philosophical journals. Dr. Zeuschner also has many interests, including collecting rare books and art, playing acoustic guitar, and studying Zen gardens.