Congenial Debates on Controversial Questions

Facilitate honest, thoughtful and respectful consideration of controversial questions

An exciting first edition, Congenial Debates on Controversial Questions is designed to promote careful and vigorous yet congenial and respectful examination of a wide range of controversial ethical issues. It is unique in focusing attention on two steps that are essential prior to productive consideration of controversial questions: First, the elimination of Straw Man distortions that cause students to not only talk past one another but also to have a very negative view of those with whom they disagree; and second, the importance of understanding that those on the opposing side have legitimate and important concerns that can be understood and appreciated even by those who strongly disagree with their position.

With those problems cleared away, students can approach these difficult questions with openness to the best arguments on both sides: not with the goal of “meeting in the middle,” but of honestly appreciating the actual issues and the complexities of those issues.

Congenial Debates on Controversial Questions is organized around 15 major current issues, including the most vigorously debated contemporary social issues, such as abortion, capital punishment, drug legalization, immigration, same-sex marriage, church/state relations, the social responsibilities of corporations, and animal rights.

Learning Goals

Upon completing this book, readers will be able to:

• Recognize the misinformation and Straw Man arguments in daily conversations.
• Explore new perspectives on examining difficult issues.
• Gain an honest appreciation of the best points of differing views.

NOTE: MySearchLab does not come automatically packaged with this text. To purchase the text with MySearchLab, order the package ISBN:

0205928277 / 9780205928279 Congenial Debates on Controversial Questions Plus MySearchLab with eText -- Access Card Package

Package consists of:

0205239927 / 9780205239924 MySearchLab with Pearson eText -- Valuepack Access Card

0205924255 / 9780205924257 Congenial Debates on Controversial Questions

Dr. Bruce N. Waller is Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Youngstown State University. He received his Ph.D. in 1979 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His other works include Consider Ethics: Theory, Readings, and Contemporary Issues, Critical Thinking: Consider the Verdict, You Decide! Current Debates in Criminal Justice, You Decide! Current Debates in Contemporary Moral Problems, You Decide! Current Debates in Introductory Philosophy, You Decide! Current Debates in Ethics, and Coffee and Philosophy: A Conversational Introduction to Philosophy with Readings.