Bourke (d.1998) was a professor of philosophy at St. Louis U. for 45 years, the author of 20 books, and worldwide lecturer. Covering the history of ethical theories from Graeco-Roman times through 1750, this is the first volume of a two-volume set first published in 1970. The main contributions of thinkers such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Locke, Spinoza, Kant, and many others are detailed chronologically, including medieval Jewish and Muslim ethics. He does not offer a critical view of the theories or incorporate Asian philosophy. The index for this and the second volume appears in vol. 2. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)