Move beyond uncritical choices.

The Good and the Right is a Christian introduction to the major theories of ethics in the history of philosophy, such as relativism, egoism, utilitarianism, Kantian deontology, social contract theory, natural law theory, virtue theory, and divine command theory. Philosophers J. Caleb Clanton and Kraig Martin offer a lucid survey of each ethical framework, and they carefully reconstruct and critically evaluate the case for and against each view. Along the way, the authors engage with the presuppositions, affirmations, and implications of the Christian faith in a way that takes the Christian tradition seriously. Ultimately, the authors rediscover and incrementally develop a unique but classically Christian framework for thinking about the moral life and making ethical decisions.

J. Caleb Clanton is the Distinguished University Chair in Philosophy and Humanities and a professor of philosophy at Lipscomb University.

Kraig Martin is an associate professor of philosophy at Harding University.

Praise for The Good and the Right

“In this clear and creative introduction, Clanton and Martin map otherwise confusing moral terrain with a distinctively Christian GPS. An excellent resource for teaching moral philosophy with faith in mind.”

—Rebecca DeYoung, Professor of Philosophy, Calvin University

“The Good and the Right is a guide to the major theories that philosophers have devised about morality. Clanton and Martin ably illuminate the theories with memorable examples and comparisons with competing theories, and they assess them in the light of an ecumenical Christianity.”

—Robert C. Roberts, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Ethics, Baylor University

“The Good and the Right is the best introduction to ethics available, period.”

—Logan Paul Gage, Professor of Philosophy and Director of Catholic Studies, Franciscan University of Steubenville

“This book offers a wonderful introduction to the landscape of moral philosophy, while putting this discussion in conversation with particular presuppositions, commitments, and perspectives of the Christian faith. The chapters provide a nuanced but accessible overview and evaluation of the major normative moral theories. The range of coverage is diverse, exemplary, and fitting. The tone of the book is appreciative and critical in its analysis, ecumenical in its engagement with different theories, and constructive in the development of its own proposal. The book’s appeal to divine revelation is not an invitation to a confessional retreat but rather reflects a deeply integrative project!”

—Frederick Aquino, Professor of Systematic Theology, Southern Methodist University

“J. Caleb Clanton and Kraig Martin give sympathetic and charitable accounts of the leading moral theories; yet for each theory, they offer as well an honest overall assessment from the standpoint of both philosophical reflection and Christian faith. Add to these virtues an unusually clear writing style, and The Good and the Right stands as an exemplary approach to Christian philosophical ethics.”

—Christopher Tollefsen, Professor of Philosophy, University of South Carolina

“In my two decades teaching introductory ethics courses to undergraduate and seminary students, I’ve long sought a textbook that is accessible, philosophically rich, and committed to exploring the import of Christian faith to our moral lives. With the publication of The Good and the Right, my search is over. Clanton and Martin offer a captivating, readable introduction to the major categories and language of philosophical ethics. The concrete illustrations they employ throughout the book well illustrate the connection between philosophy and everyday moral questions. Most importantly, Clanton and Martin make a constructive case for the relevance of Christian faith to these questions. I am thrilled that my ethics students will benefit from the work of these authors.”

—Dr. Vic McCracken, Professor of Ethics and Theology, Abilene Christian University

“Finally, an introduction to moral philosophy that takes seriously the claims and ethical commitments of Christianity! Clanton and Martin offer fresh insight into ancient debates in order to help every student of philosophy not only understand but practice moral philosophy from a distinctly Christian perspective. Advocating a combination theory, this book encourages students to appeal to both reason and revelation in assessing moral truths and ethical obligations. This book fills a lacuna in the philosophy textbook world, allowing the best of moral theory to be presented through a decidedly Christian lens in a way that is both accessible and scholarly.”

—Nathan Guy, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Theology, and Ethics, Harding University

“It seems to have escaped popular consciousness that moral choices need be (or even can be) based on anything beyond feelings. So clear a volume as this one that alerts its readers to major ethical theories can help move those uncritical choices into the realm of thoughtful and intentional behaviors. For Christians in a post-Christian culture, this sort of thoughtful move—with the historic philosophical theories critiqued from a perspective of orthodox faith by two competent scholars—is especially critical.”

—Rubel Shelly, PhD, Professor of Philosophy and Religion (retired), Lipscomb University

“The Good and the Right examines the dominant theories in moral philosophy at an introductory level. On every level of examination, whether description, analysis,
or critique, the authors deal with each theory’s strengths and weaknesses thoroughly, clearly, and fairly. As the subtitle makes clear, the book reads the history of moral philosophy through Christian eyes. This feature makes the book especially attractive to Christian readers, though anyone can read it with profit. After getting a grasp on the eight main attempts to philosophical theories treated by the authors, readers will appreciate the last chapter, which attempts to construct a ‘Non-Reductive Combination Theory’ of morality useful for Christians. I recommend this book highly for college and graduate students or to anyone who wishes to understand the basic categories within which modern Western people approach moral issues. The book is intelligent, lucid, well-researched, thorough, well-written, and appropriately illustrated with examples from daily life.”

—Ron Highfield, Professor of Religion and Philosophy, Pepperdine University

“The Good and the Right is a guide to the major theories that philosophers have devised about morality. Clanton and Martin ably illuminate the theories with memorable examples and comparisons with competing theories, and they assess them in the light of an ecumenical Christianity.”

—Robert C. Roberts, author of Virtue Ethics in Christian Perspective and Attention to Virtues

ISBN: 9781684261222

Pages: 368

Dimensions (inches): 6 x 9 

Weight (pounds): .5