101 Ethical Dilemmas

This book is great fun. Many of the dilemmas are obviously profound, others appear to be entertaining, trivial diversions, but because they are all short and easily digestible the temptation is to read the whole of the first part quickly and without regard for the fact that each one captures a real and difficult ethical dilemma worth mulling over. The best way to use the book is to take the dilemmas slowly, one by one (or at most, group by group) and to try to resolve them for yourself. Cohen tells us that the discussion section can be read or left alone according to our discretion but reading it should reveal why the seemingly trivial "little things" are, in Sherlock Holmes words, "infinitely the most important". --Larry Brown

Saving philosophy from dry abstractions Cohen's enlightening, irreverent style dismisses any set rules. Instead he balances the arguments and highlights the flaws of ancient and modern philosophers including Plato, Socrates and Hobbes. The problems are not solved - it is up to the reader to make up their own mind what is the right answer - or even if there is one. Cohen offers up his own reasoning, which you may or may not agree with, which helps to demystify the intimidating field of ethical philosophy.

Cohen is especially good in dragging ancient dilemmas into a modern context. Is torture wrong when interrogating terrorists? Should we bomb America for their terrorist training camps? Who is to blame for serial killers - society, the parents, themselves? When is it OK to design babies? The debates are real enough to create passion and provoke thought, but benefit from the gloss on previous philosophical debates. Perhaps the most intriguing are the "little dilemmas" of deceit. For example if an internet shopping site mistakenly thinks you have paid for a product when you haven't -do you keep quiet and accept or do you send the money anyway? I think you know what the writers of ethicalmatters.co.uk would say!

The book starts with the warning that it is not a guidebook for ethical living. What it does do is plant hundreds of more ethical questions in your mind, fulfilling its role as a light hearted, lively introduction to the subject of ethical philosophy. It may not make you a better person or resolve all your problems, but it's a great work out for your brain!