Description
Book SynopsisThis introduction to religious ethics focuses on the major forms of ethical reasoning encompassing the three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Mathewes considers both ethical reasoning and how that reasoning reveals insights into a religious tradition.
Trade Review“At 250 pages, the volume provides thoughtful theoretical foundations for comparative religious ethics balanced by attention to both historical context and normative issues.” (Religious Studies Review, 11 June 2013)
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments vi
Introduction: Conviction and Argument 1
Part I: Preliminaries 19
1 God and Morality 21
2 Jewish Ethics 38
3 Christian Ethics 53
4 Islamic Ethics 65
Part II: Personal Matters 81
5 Friendship 83
6 Sexuality 91
7 Marriage and Family 106
8 Lying 118
9 Forgiveness 134
Part III: Social Matters 145
10 Love and Justice 147
11 Duty, Law, Conscience 157
12 Capital Punishment 167
13 War (I): Towards War 182
14 War (II): In War 199
15 Religion and the Environment 209
Part IV: The Last Things 223
16 Pursuits of Happiness: Labor, Leisure, and Life 225
17 Good and Evil 239
Conclusion: What’s So Funny ’bout Peace, Love, and Understanding? 254
Notes 262
Index 270
