James rachels, the challenge of cultural relativism

James rachels active and passive euthanasia
James rachels cultural relativism
James Rachels, the distinguished American moral philosopher, was born in Columbus, Georgia, and graduated from nearby Mercer University in 1962.

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Rachels, James 1941-2003

PERSONAL:

Born May 30, 1941, in Columbus, GA; died of cancer, September 5, 2003, in Birmingham, AL; son of James and Velma Rachels; married Carol Williams, August 12, 1962; children: David and Stuart. Education: Mercer University, B.A., 1962; University of North Carolina, Ph.D., 1967.

CAREER:

Philosopher, educator, writer, and editor. University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, faculty member, 1966-68; New York University, New York, NY, faculty member, 1968-72; University of Miami, Miami, FL, faculty member, 1972-77; University of Alabama at Birmingham, faculty member, chair of Department of Philosophy, 1977-2003, dean of the School of Humanities, 1973-83, academic vice president (acting), 1983, University professor, 1984-2003. Also taught at Duke University, 1975.

WRITINGS:

(Editor) Moral Problems: A Collection of Philosophical Essays, Harper & Row (New York, NY), 1971, 3rd edition, 1979.

(Compiler, with Frank A. Tillman) Philosophical Issues; A Contemporary Introduction, Harper & Row (New York, NY), 1972.

(Editor) Understanding Moral Ph

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James Rachels (1941- 2003) was a distinguished American moral philosopher and best-selling textbook author. The final chapter of his book, Problems from Philosophy, explores the question of the meaning of life. The question typically results, Rachels believes, from recognizing the clash between the subjective or personal point of view—from which things matter—and the objective or impersonal view—from which they do not.

Regarding the relationship between happiness and meaning, Rachel notes that happiness is not well correlated with wealth, but rather with personal control over one’s life, good relationships with family and friends, and satisfying work. In Rachels’ view happiness is not found by seeking it directly, but as a by-product of intrinsic values like autonomy, friendship, and satisfying work. Nonetheless, a happy life may still be meaningless because we die, and in times of reflection we may find our happiness undermined by the thought of our annihilation.

What attitude should we take toward our death? For those who believe they do not die, death is good because

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James Rachels, the distinguished American moral philosopher, was born in Columbus, Georgia, graduating from Mercer University in Macon in 1962. He received his Ph.D. in 1967. In 1975, Rachels wrote 'Active and Passive Euthanasia,' arguing that the distinction so important in the law between killing and letting die has no rational basis. Originally appearing in the New England Journal of Medicine, this essay has been reprinted roughly 300 times and is a staple of undergraduate education. The End of Life (1986) was about the morality of killing and the value of life. Created from Animals (1990) argued that a Darwinian world-view has widespread philosophical implications, including drastic implications for our treatment of nonhuman animals. Can Ethics Provide Answers? (1997) was Rachels' first collection of papers (others are expected posthumously). Rachels' McGraw-Hill textbook, The Elements of Moral Philosophy, is now in its fourth edition and is easily the best-selling book of its kind. Over his career, Rachels wrote 5 books and 85 essays, edited 7 books and ga