The book brings together selected, central texts of practical philosophy from Plato to the present. They are presented as completely as possible within their own argumentative context and are thoroughly explained through easily understandable introductions, discussion questions, and answers. The texts can thus serve as material for a demanding ethics curriculum as well as a foundation for self-study. The book is structured according to the fundamental questions and themes of ethics: What does ethics mean? Virtue ethics, duty ethics, and utilitarianism; value ethics and discourse ethics; freedom as a prerequisite for morality; law and justice; What does happiness mean? Friendship and love.