Best Ethics Books of 2025

A Guide to the Good Life by William B. Irvine is a refreshing take on the ancient philosophy of Stoicism, offering practical techniques for attaining tranquility and a better life. Irvine shares his own experiences practicing Stoicism and provides valuable advice for anyone seeking a joyful life. The book delves into various Stoic techniques for minimizing worry, letting go of the past, and dealing with life's challenges, providing a roadmap for personal transformation. Overall, A Guide to the Good Life is an insightful and thought-provoking read that offers a unique perspective on personal development.

The book "Reasons and Persons" challenges some of our deepest beliefs about rationality, morality, and personal identity. Parfit argues that our views on these topics are often flawed, and that it is rational to act against our own best interests. The book is praised for its scope, imaginative resource, and cogency of reasoning. It is an extraordinary contribution to philosophy that is destined to become part of the standard analytic repertory. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in philosophy of ethics and morality.

"Think: A Compelling Introduction to Philosophy" is an excellent book that provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to Western philosophy for anyone who is interested in exploring the subject. The author, Simon Blackburn, approaches the fundamental themes of philosophy in a clear and concise way, making it easy for readers to understand how major philosophers have tackled the most pressing questions about human consciousness. The book dispels the myth that philosophy is purely academic and has no relevance to the real world, offering a springboard for all those who want to learn how the basic techniques of thinking shape every aspect of our existence. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to think philosophically and explore other philosophies with greater pleasure and understanding."

Principles of Biomedical Ethics by Tom L. Beauchamp and James F. Childress is an exceptional guide to morality in healthcare. The book advocates for four principles that form the basis of moral reasoning in the health professions: respect for autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, and justice. The authors use contemporary research, case studies, and real-life scenarios to demonstrate how these principles can be applied to various conflicts and dilemmas. The text is ideal for courses in biomedical ethics, bioethics, and health care ethics. Overall, Principles of Biomedical Ethics is an outstanding and accessible book that has shaped the field of bioethics for decades.

The fifth edition of Ethical Leadership and Decision Making in Education by Shapiro and Stefkovich is a must-read for educational leaders facing complex ethical dilemmas in today's diverse societies. The book presents four ethical paradigms - justice, critique, care, and profession - and applies them to authentic dilemmas in cases written by graduate students, practitioners, and academics. The fifth edition also includes new cases on timely issues such as food insufficiency, pandemic effects, and hate speech in the academy. This critical resource highlights the importance of self-reflection, new technologies, and global appeal of ethical paradigms and dilemmas.

The Nicomachean Ethics, edited by Terence Irwin, is an excellent resource for readers seeking a comprehensive analysis of Aristotle's philosophy of ethics. This edition includes a full glossary and explanatory notes, making it easier for readers to understand Aristotle's technical terms. Additionally, the third edition features revised translations and expanded notes, making it even more valuable than previous editions. The inclusion of translated selections from related texts of Aristotle is a unique feature that sets this edition apart. Overall, this book is a must-read for students and scholars of ancient philosophy.

The Sovereignty of Good by Iris Murdoch is a collection of three essays that explore questions of Good and Bad, myth and morality. The author argues that Good transcends everything, even God. The book has been highly praised by critics, with The Guardian calling it "superb" and Mary Midgely stating that it is "one of the very few modern books of philosophy which people outside academic philosophy find really useful." Dame Iris Murdoch, the author of the book, was an Irish-born British novelist and philosopher who received numerous awards and accolades. Overall, The Sovereignty of Good is a must-read for anyone interested in philosophy, ethics, and morality.

This book, "Diogenes the Cynic: Sayings and Anecdotes, With Other Popular Moralists," presents a unique edition of the life and teachings of Diogenes, the Cynic philosopher. The book covers his successors, including Crates, Hipparchia, and Bion, and also includes the contrasting teachings of the Cyrenaic school. The author, Robin Hard, is known for his translations of Greek mythology and his expertise shines through in this well-researched and informative book. The book is part of the Oxford World's Classics, which provides accurate texts along with expert introductions, notes, bibliographies, and other valuable features. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in philosophy and ancient Greek culture.

The Encyclopedia of Bioethics (5 Volume Set) is a comprehensive collection of articles about bioethics written by more than 500 scholars from 18 major disciplines. The third edition covers a broad range of topics, including embryonic stem cell research, cybernetics, cloning, and bioterrorism. The articles address difficult and important questions from many points of view, including medical, ethical, legal, and religious perspectives. The book is an excellent resource for students, scholars, and professionals in the field of bioethics.

Kant's Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals is a classic work in moral philosophy that identifies the supreme principle of morality, the categorical imperative. In this revised edition, Mary Gregor's translation is sympathetically revised by Jens Timmermann, and Christine Korsgaard contributes an updated introduction. The book argues that human beings are ends in themselves and that universal and unconditional obligations must be understood as an expression of the human capacity for autonomy and self-governance. The book is a must-read for undergraduate and graduate students of the history of philosophy, ethics, and Kant studies.