Understanding Religious Ethics

"This splendid volume—from a distinguished scholar and teacher—is the best available general introduction to comparative religious ethics. Unlike many arid textbooks, it offers a lively examination of the moral life by initiating readers into the diverse beliefs and practices that animate Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Adherents of these traditions and their critics will find much wisdom in these pages."
—Eric Gregory, Princeton University

"Comparative, comprehensive and highly readable, Matthewes' book provides an overview of religious ethics in three traditions without sacrificing the specificity of each ethical system. The author effortlessly enlightens the reader as to how Judaism, Christianity and Islam deals with highly relevant topics such as family, love, sexuality, lying, war, capital punishment and many more themes in a provocative and graceful manner."
—Ebrahim Moosa, Duke University

Charles Mathewes (Author)

9781405133517, Wiley

Hardback, published 12 March 2010

288 pages
25.4 x 17.8 x 2.2 cm, 0.662 kg

“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)  

This accessible introduction to religious ethics focuses on the major forms of moral reasoning encompassing the three ‘Abrahamic’ religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

• Draws on a range of moral issues, such as examples arising from friendship, marriage, homosexuality, lying, forgiveness and its limits, the death penalty, the environment, warfare, and the meaning of work, career, and vocation
• Looks at both ethical reasoning and importantly, how that reasoning reveals insights into a religious tradition
• Investigates the resources available to address common problems confronting Abrahamic faiths, and how each faith explains and defends its moral viewpoints
• Offering concrete topics for interfaith discussions, this is a timely and insightful introduction to a fast-growing field of interest

Acknowledgments vi

Subject Areas: Religion & beliefs [HR]