Progressive Morality: An Essay in Ethics

"Progressive Morality: An Essay in Ethics" by Thomas Fowler is a treatise written in the late 19th century that explores moral principles while highlighting real-world applications of ethics. It argues for a scientific perspective on morality, suggesting that ethics should evolve as civilization and intelligence increases. Fowler begins by outlining the relationships between morality, behavior, and the different influences that shape ethical choices, as well as the need to distinguish between legal, social, and moral influences. Instead of getting caught up in abstract theories, the book uses practical examples to show that a better understanding of morality is possible. He suggests that people often avoid ethical analysis because they don't want to question established moral ideas, and he lays out a framework for understanding how moral feelings develop, change, and are taught, claiming that ethics needs to change with society.