Being good: a short introduction to ethics

Part I. Seven threats to ethics. The death of God

Relativism

Egoism

Evolutionary theory

Determinism and futility

Unreasonable demands

False consciousness. Part II. Some ethical ideas. Birth

Death

Desire and the meaning of life

Pleasure

The greatest happiness of the greatest number

Freedom from the bad

Freedom and paternalism

Rights and natural rights. Part III. Foundations. Reasons and foundations

Being good and living well

The categorical imperative

Contracts and discourse

The common point of view

Confidence restored.