In The Fundamentals of Ethics, Fifth Edition, author Russ Shafer-Landau employs a uniquely engaging writing style to introduce students to the essential ideas of moral philosophy. Offering more comprehensive coverage of the good life, normative ethics, and metaethics than any other text of its kind, this book also addresses issues that are often omitted from other texts, such as the doctrine of doing and allowing, the doctrine of double effect, ethical particularism, the desire-satisfaction theory of well-being, moral error theory, and Ross's theory of prima facie duties. Shafer-Landau carefully reconstructs and analyzes dozens of arguments in depth, at a level that is understandable to students with no prior philosophical background.

"This is the best introductory ethics text on the market. I have been assigning it since 2009 and expect to do so for the foreseeable future. Its focus on constructing and evaluating arguments distinguishes it from competing volumes and helps new philosophy students quickly acclimate themselves to the field." - Robert M. Farley, Hillsborough Community College

"The Fundamentals of Ethics is a great introduction to ethics. Shafer-Landau introduces students to metaethics and individual moral theories. He also provides great use of philosophical arguments and terminology without being overly technical. Finally, the price is much lower than alternatives." - Hoon Lee, Triton College

"In The Fundamentals of Ethics, the essential arguments rise to the top and are easily consumed and digested. For a short introduction, the text is amazingly comprehensive in its coverage of the major moral theories. The writing style is the stand-out strength of the book." - Adam English, Campbell University