The editors of Ethics at the Cinema invited a diverse group of moral philosophers and philosophers of film to engage with ethical issues raised within, or within the process of viewing, a single film of each contributor's choice. The result is a unique collection of considerable breadth. Discussions focus on both classic and modern films, and topics range from problems of traditional concern to philosophers (e.g. virtue, justice, and ideals) to problems of traditional concern to filmmakers (e.g. sexuality, social belonging, and cultural identity).

Ward E. Jones is Associate Professor in Philosophy at Rhodes University and the Editor of the journal Philosophical Papers. Samantha Vice is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at Rhodes University. She is co-editor, with Nafsika Athanassoulis, of The Moral Life: Essays in Honour of John Cottingham.

'Philosophy and the Ethical Significance of Spectatorship: An Introduction to Ethics at the Cinema' Part 1: Critique, Character, and the Power of Film 1. Andrew Gleeson, 'The Secrets and Lies of Film' 2. Stephen Williams, 'Propaganda and Artistic Merit: The Case of Colonel Blimp' 3. Murray Smith, 'Just What Is It That Makes Tony Soprano Such an Appealing, Attractive Murderer?' 4. Ward E. Jones, 'Partiality and Transgressive Comedy: Making Sense of our Amusement at His Girl Friday' Part 2: Philosophical Readings Ethics and Social Being 5. Tom Martin, 'Reason, Absurdity, and Anti-Semitism in The Believer' 6. Paul C. Taylor, ''Melting Whites and Liberated Latinas: Identity, Fate, and Character in Fools Rush In' 7. Samantha Vice, 'Lighthouses in a Foggy World': Ideals in Frank Capra's Meet John Doe 8. Peter Goldie, 'La Grande Illusion as a Work of Art' 9. Larry Blum, 'A Crash Course on Personal Racism' Ethics and Personal Relationships 10. Karen Hanson, 'Love and Friendship in the Balance: The Case of Jules et Jim' 11. Torbjörn Tännsjö, 'Sophie's Choice' 12. Joseph Kupfer, 'Dangerous Liaisons: Love, Letters, and Lessons in Sexual Ethics' 13. Julia Driver, 'Justice, Mercy, and Friendship in The Third Man' 14. Deborah Knight, 'The Third Man: Ethics, Aesthetics, Irony' 15. Thomas Wartenberg, 'Moral Intelligence and the Limits of Loyalty: The Third Man as Philosophy'