George Cotkin looks at diverse yet central issues such as the problem of evil, moral responsibility, racial identity, and capital punishment, juxtaposed against events such as the bombing of civilians during World War II, the My Lai Massacre, and the invasion of Iraq to demonstrate that moral complexity and confusion can be productive.

Morality's Muddy Waters
Ethical Quandaries in Modern America

George Cotkin

2010 | 272 pages | Cloth $29.95 | Paper $24.95
American History | Public Policy
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Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction

1 The Problems of Evil 7

Part I. IN TIMES OF WAR
2 A Sky That Never Cared Less
3 The Moral Mystery of My Lai

Part II. IN TIMES OF PEACE
4 The Hate Stare: Empathy and Moral Luck
5 Just Rewards? Capital Punishment

Part III. PRESENT PROBLEMS
6 Muddiness and Moral Clarity: The Iraqi Situation

Conclusion: Torture and the Tortured

Notes
Index
Acknowledgments