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"Reason and Ethics defends the theoretical claim that all values are subjective and the practical claim that human affairs can be conducted fruitfully in full awareness of this. Joel Marks goes beyond his previous work defending moral skepticism to question the existence of all objective values. This leads him to suggest a novel answer to the Companions in Guilt argument that the denial of morality would mean relinquishing rationality as well. Marks disarms the argument by conceding the irreality of both morality and logic, but is still able to rescue rationality while dispensing with morality on pragmatic grounds. He then offers a positive account of how life may be lived productively without recourse to attributions and assertions of right and wrong, good and bad, and even truth and falsity. Written in an accessible and engaging style, Reason and Ethics will be of interest to scholars and students working in metaethics as well as to the generally intellectually curious"--

1. What is morality? -- 2. Does morality exist? -- 3. Would amorality be viable? -- 4. Might amorality be preferable? -- 5. Is amorality just another way of being moral? -- 6. How shall we treat other animals? : a case study in applied amorality -- 7. What is ethics?

In this volume, Marks offers a defense of amorality as both philosophically justified and practicably livable. In so doing, the book marks a radical departure from both the new atheism and the mainstream of modern ethical philosophy. While in synch with their underlying aim of grounding human existence in a naturalistic metaphysics, the book takes both to task for maintaining a complacent embrace of morality. Marks advocates wiping the slate clean of outdated connotations by replacing the language of morality with a language of desire.The book begins with an analysis of what morality is and th

In this volume, Marks offers a defense of amorality as both philosophically justified and practicably livable. In so doing, the book marks a radical departure from both the new atheism and the mainstream of modern ethical philosophy. While in synch with their underlying aim of grounding human existence in a naturalistic metaphysics, the book takes both to task for maintaining a complacent embrace of morality. Marks advocates wiping the slate clean of outdated connotations by replacing the language of morality with a language of desire. The book begins with an analysis of what morality is and th.

This book offers an unconventional defense of Kantian ethical theory as encompassing moral regard for nonhuman animals and, complementarily, an exhaustive rendition of a relatively neglected refutation of consequentialism as violating an essential meta-ethical condition of theoretical viability

Yew-Kwang Ng's research is the work of an obviously sincere, intelligent, and conscientious animal advocate. But I am unable to accept his starting assumption that animal welfare is an appropriate basis for animal ethics. More specifically I argue that animal welfare as a means to animal liberation is an issue that can be debated, but animal welfare as the ultimate end or goal of animal advocacy is misguided.

On 3 April 2006, covering the transfer of nuclear material and cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy were signed by the Australian and Chinese Governments. While the exports enabled by the agreements represent a windfall for the Australian uranium industry a number groups and individuals have expressed concern that uranium exports to China will ultimately contribute to the proliferation of nuclear weapons. In adhering to Australia's longstanding uranium export policy established during the 1970's, the agreements prescribe bilateral and multilateral safeguards regimes to ensure that Australian nuclear material will only be used within China's civil nuclear power industry. At the bilateral level, a detailed set of accounting procedures administered by the Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office will be used to account for Australian Obligated Nuclear Material (AONM) as it passes through the nuclear fuel cycle in China. Through the application of the nuclear accounting principles of "equivalence and proportionality" Australian bilateral safeguards effectively ensure that AONM cannot deliver any net benefits to China's military programs. At the multilateral level, Australian policy requires that the facilities through which AONM pass must be made available to inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA's safeguarding role has evolved considerably since its creation in 1957, as have the methods and procedures by which its safeguards are carried out. While IAEA safeguards have played a positive role in building international confidence by demonstrating that other states are keeping to their non­-proliferation commitments and halting the spread of nuclear weapons, the system does suffer from a number of deficiencies . Most important of these are the agency's insufficient funding and the "starting point" of safeguards not covering conversion facilities. Analysed in the context of China, these deficiencies are shown to pose few risks to the diversion of AONM, however improvements should be made. Proliferation concerns in China lie in three main categories: • The proliferation of nuclear weapons in China; • The transfer of sensitive nuclear technologies to other states; and • The theft or sabotage of fissile materials by terrorists or other sub-state groups. Chinese attitudes towards nuclear proliferation have changed significantly in the past 30 years, however there are a number of concerns regarding Chinese authorities' capabilities to enforce its non-proliferation commitments, as well as concerns about China's military intentions. Currently China is engaging in a broad based modernisation program of its strategic forces, raising concerns that AONM will be utilised in a new generation of Chinese war heads. However, for a number of reasons, most notably the fact that China is believed to have ceased producing fissile materials, this would appear unlikely. While China's record of proliferation to nations such as Pakistan is of some concern, State culpability has been unclear and Chinese authorities are working to implement effective export controls. Yet as this report finds, this is one area in which Australian policy could be focused through the Australian Safeguards Support Program (ASSP) to actively engage in eliminating this concern. Of greatest threat to AONM in the context of China is the possibility of global jihadists or China's restive minority groups attempting to steal nuclear materials for the construction of "dirty bombs". Although there is no specific intelligence indicating such a scenario, it cannot be ruled out. While there a number of both technical and political shortcomings in the IAEA's safeguards system, the report concludes that, in addition to Australia 's own bilateral provisions, they will be sufficient to prevent uranium sales to China from contributing to nuclear proliferation. There are simply too many factors to dissuade Chinese authorities from diverting Australian uranium. Nonetheless, the report makes a number of recommendations to help end the deficiencies within the IAEA's safeguards. By doing so the Australia Government can achieve a greater level of public acceptance of the agreements with China and ensure that Australian nuclear materials are at all times covered by fully effective safeguards.