Morality and the Movies: Reading Ethics Through Film

<em>Morality and the Movies </em>presents the ideal introduction to philosophical ethics for film lovers. Dan Shaw uses a series of sixteen popular films, including <em>Hotel Rwanda</em>, <em>Casablanca</em>, <em>Citizen Kane</em>, <em>A Clockwork Orange</em>, <em>Dead Man Walking</em> and <em>Full Metal Jacket</em>, to illustrate all the major ethical theories and key contemporary moral issues. The book provides a brief summary and philosophical interpretation of each film, with reference throughout to primary philosophical sources. A unique pedagogical feature is that each chapter begins with a five-step summary of the theoretical position in question and a critical evaluation of its strengths and weaknesses through a specific film. Topics covered include:

– divine authority

– the social contract

– moral relativism

– virtue ethics

– freedom and determinism

– euthanasia

– capital punishment

– war and terrorism

– abortion

– business ethics

Ideal for undergraduate students coming to philosophical ethics for the first time, this book utilizes popular film to introduce a central topic in the study of philosophy.