The Modern Scholar: Ethics: A History of Moral Thought

By: Professor Peter Kreeft

Narrated by: Peter Kreeft

Length: 8 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

This course addresses some of the eternal questions that man has grappled with since the beginning of time. What is good? What is bad? Why is justice important? Why is it better to be good and just than it is to be bad and unjust?

Most human beings have the faculty to discern between right and wrong, good and bad behavior, and to make judgments over what is just and what is unjust. But why are ethics important to us?

This course looks at our history as ethical beings. We'll travel into the very heart of mankind's greatest philosophical dilemmas - to the origins of our moral values and the problem of ethics. Are ethics universal, absolute and unchanging - or are they culturally relative, changing, and man-made? Furthermore, we'll delve into the creation of ethical systems - not just for ourselves, but also for society at large. And we will consider the ongoing process of establishing ethical frameworks for society.

©2004 Peter Kreeft (P)2004 Recorded Books

Good Overview of Ethical Thought

I really enjoyed Dr. Kreeft's lectures on Ethics. Though the other review found it over-Christian, I did not. He does prefer Socrates over later philosophers, proposing that Socrates overcomes most of the later ethical viewpoints of other figures. While the bias is present, it's not overwhelming of the material. I found this to be an excellent introduction to the different viewpoints of several of the great thinkers of history.

Modern scholar = Portable Profesor

If you have ever bought the short lived Barnes and Noble Portable Professor series PLEASE NOTE this is an exact copy except that the cover art is different and the titles are slightly changed. I ended up buy books I already own. That said, Kreefts books are easily the very best I have ever read/heard. His Philosophy of Religion title is worth hearing over and over again.

Ethics 101; great refresher and foundation

The lecture series as a whole is fantastic, I highly suggest listening to it multiple times, that would be the best way to learn passively, or to listen a few times while taking notes. Anything by Dr. Kreeft its sure to be a winner!

Loved it!

I loved this audiobook. Yes, it could be construed as religiously biased, but Professor Kreeft tells you his position from the get go. If you do not believe in metaphysics; i.e., God, The Spirit in the Sky, take what you can from the book. It has much more to offer. I listened to it in preparation for Ethics in college. His chapter on Plato's The Republic is an excellent way to prepare for The Allegory of the Cave.

Accessible, clear, deep, relevant look at ethics.

Professor Kreeft is a superb teacher. His lectures are clear and highly accessible without sacrificing rigor or depth. These lessons are aimed at the intelligent layman. While a background in philosophy or intellectual history is helpful in getting the most out of these lectures, they also serve as an excellent introductory course. Strongly recommended.

Brief history, rich content

Excellent book for those who have some familiarity with Ethics. It scans, contrasts, and explains the relationships (or contradictions) of most moral thought traditions through seminal author stances.

As intended, the book is a brief history and superficial treatment of many traditions or schools of ethical reasoning. For those seeking a 'deep dive' into one tradition, this isn't the book. Further, the author does not impose a universal unifying theory. As with most good scholarship and teaching, the author explains and critiques; but allows the reader to think independently.

Excellent pace by the narrator. Brisk enough to hold interest, appropriate pauses to allow for reflection. This is not an easy balance, as this book requires engagement with nuanced ideas and logic.

Excellent about the history of moral philosophy.

Easy to follow, inspiring, great way to be introduced to basic concepts within moral philosophy. An appetizer for further reading.

Wonderful book!

If you could sum up The Modern Scholar in three words, what would they be?

Interesting, engaging, well-writtten

What did you like best about this story?

It felt like I was at the universtiy listening to the professor

What about Peter Kreeft’s performance did you like?

He was very interesting to listen to and offered a chance for you to think deeper about the topics disscussed

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If you were traveling you could, however it takes many hours. Worth the time!

Any additional comments?

I am ordering more of the Modern Scholar audible books as I learned more in this one book than in others I have read or listened to.

Clear, compelling and unbiased

I bought this knowing The Modern Scholar brand but not the author. As an atheist myself, I was worried when he stated which side of the argument about God's existence he fell on, and I was even more worried after I found a book that he authored which seems to be a defense of theism.

I'm glad to report that none of that matters here as he was surprisingly unbiased about the presentation of the subject in spite of that caveat. Furthermore, the way he approaches the subject was very clear and compelling, and he shows great passion about it, which is quite contagious. Even though his voice seemed monotone at first, it grew on me.

All in all, it is now one of those audiobooks that I go back to every so often. It must be my 4th listen by now and it's always a joy.

On my second listening = still amazed!

This book/lecture/course is very easy to listen to. Mr. Kreeft starts with the ancient Greeks, goes up through Machiavelli, Kant, and others. He follows the discovery of each "new" philosophical/ethical idea, what was happening historically, and what other major philosophers were saying at the same time. He is subtle in his opinions; Mr. Kreeft doesn't lecture to you, but rather tells you a story. It's entertaining and educational.
I found that as a narrator, Mr. Kreeft was easy to understand - no hums, or haws. Very clear voice with a personal tone.
This is my first Modern Ethics lecture (I'm more The Great Courses kind), and this Ethics course makes me curious to try another in their series.
Thank you.