Reader query on ethics textbooks

A reader writes in:

I haven't been using a textbook for my ethics classes, but I'm beginning to think maybe I should. I've put together readings of my own for the class, but I worry that they don't cover some topics as well as others and the difficulty varies a bit (there's one or two that I'm pretty sure are too hard for the average student who takes my classes). I also suspect that I'm violating of some copyright laws with my current set up...Anyway, I wanted to know what book people used for intro to ethics classes and what they thought of it.

I've been using Steven Cahn's Ethics: History, Theory, and Contemporary Issues anthology for years, mostly because I've always preferred using primary sources. Actual ethics textbooks (written by a single author) tend to rub me the wrong way, as I usually find myself having problems with the way they present issues. First, I tend to think they provide students with too many "answers", typically telling students "what to think" more than developing their ability to think for and interpret philosophical texts for themselves. Second, I often find myself dissatisfied with interpretations of key concepts in ethics textbooks (e.g. how to interpret the categorical imperative), as complex and contentious philosophical disagreements may be passed over in favor of simplifications. That being said, I've been reconsidering my use of the Cahn text, in part because I find its contemporary moral issues section a bit thin and outdated. So, I'd benefit from hearing which ethics texts people use and why, as well!

So, then, all of you ethics instructors out there. Which text(s) do you use? Why?

Comments

[mrd]

I've been pretty happy with Gordon Marino's Ethics: The Essential Writings.

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/107654/ethics-by-edited-and-with-an-introduction-by-gordon-marino/9780812977783/

A major plus is that it's incredibly affordable--new copies on Amazon right now are around $14. The focus is primary texts with very brief introductions to contextualize each author. It hits a lot of the canon, and then I supplement some other readings. So it may not eliminate scanning and posting of articles but can help cut down on it.

[Amanda]

I use James Rachel's book with it's supplement.The supplement is a good collection of primary texts in short bits that undergrads can handle. Saves me the time of cutting down primary texts myself.

https://www.amazon.com/Elements-Moral-Philosophy-James-Rachels/dp/0078038243

https://www.amazon.com/Right-Thing-Do-Readings-Philosophy/dp/0078038235/ref=pd_sim_14_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WCFRW4QEGE5YRGQBFXWW

The text book is good if you have students who aren't particularly advanced. The reading is VERY simple. But the plus is that increases the number of students who read and understand and are interested. It would only be good for an intro level class