Book Reviews: Morality, Ethics, Ethical Problems, Dilemmas, Debate
What are ethics? How can we lead ethical lives? How can ethical principles be applied in our lives and to fields such as science, business and religion? These are just some of the questions which occupy ethical philosophers and which are covered in a variety of new books published every year. Here you will find reviews of a few of the best.
Pride: The Seven Deadly Sins, by Michael Eric Dyson
Pride tops the list of the seven deadly sins - it didn't always take first place and it wasn't always considered the progenitor of all the other sins, but over time it acquired that status and remains there to this day. Even more recently, however, the idea of pride simply being a sin has also changed.
Pride tops the list of the seven deadly sins - it didn't always take first place and it wasn't always considered the progenitor of all the other sins, but over time it acquired that status and remains there to this day. Even more recently, however, the idea of pride simply being a sin has also changed.
Envy: The Seven Deadly Sins, by Joseph Epstein
Do other people have things which you want - and, even worse, which they don't deserve in the first place? If so, then you are envious. Envy isn't jealousy: to be jealous is to want to protect what you have; to be envious is to want what others have. Of all the deadly sins, envy is the one which few people are willing to admit to or willing to rehabilitate and make normal.
Do other people have things which you want - and, even worse, which they don't deserve in the first place? If so, then you are envious. Envy isn't jealousy: to be jealous is to want to protect what you have; to be envious is to want what others have. Of all the deadly sins, envy is the one which few people are willing to admit to or willing to rehabilitate and make normal.
Gluttony: The Seven Deadly Sins
Knowledge of the seven deadly sins today is inferior to the past, but many can still name most of the sins on the list. How many remember that gluttony is one of the sins, though, much less understand why it was traditionally condemned by Christianity as a sin equal to that of lust, pride, anger, or envy?
Knowledge of the seven deadly sins today is inferior to the past, but many can still name most of the sins on the list. How many remember that gluttony is one of the sins, though, much less understand why it was traditionally condemned by Christianity as a sin equal to that of lust, pride, anger, or envy?
Greed: The Seven Deadly Sins
Do you wish to acquire more and more? Do you covet what others have but you do not? Are you ambitious to have more money or material goods? In short, are you greedy? Many people may be willing to answer 'yes' to these questions, at least until we get to the last one...
Do you wish to acquire more and more? Do you covet what others have but you do not? Are you ambitious to have more money or material goods? In short, are you greedy? Many people may be willing to answer 'yes' to these questions, at least until we get to the last one...
The Cheating Culture: Why More Americans Are Doing Wrong
It may have occurred to you that there seems to be a lot more cheating and dishonesty in American society today than there was in the past. If so, you aren't simply imagining things - there is strong evidence for a decline in people's willingness to be honest and this does not bode well for America's future.
It may have occurred to you that there seems to be a lot more cheating and dishonesty in American society today than there was in the past. If so, you aren't simply imagining things - there is strong evidence for a decline in people's willingness to be honest and this does not bode well for America's future.
What Price the Moral High Ground?
It's commonly thought that people are more strongly motivated by selfishness than by altruism. This position is especially popular among economists and is believed to be based upon a realistic appraisal of human action as it evolved over the millennia. It may not, however, be entirely accurate...
It's commonly thought that people are more strongly motivated by selfishness than by altruism. This position is especially popular among economists and is believed to be based upon a realistic appraisal of human action as it evolved over the millennia. It may not, however, be entirely accurate...
The Adversary: A True Story of Monstrous Deception
What role do embarrassment and shame play in human morality? Probably quite a bit - they are very effective means for controlling people in small groups. At the same time, though, they can lead people horribly astray. Just such a person was Jean-Claude Roland, currently in a French jail for killing his wife, his children, and his parents...
What role do embarrassment and shame play in human morality? Probably quite a bit - they are very effective means for controlling people in small groups. At the same time, though, they can lead people horribly astray. Just such a person was Jean-Claude Roland, currently in a French jail for killing his wife, his children, and his parents...
Kindness In A Cruel World: The Evolution Of Altruism
Religious critics of atheism and evolution allege that without the guiding force of some god, some supernatural power, there can be no reasonable explanation for the development of altruism and morality. In a purely materialistic and evolutionary nature, critics argue, there is no reason for altruism to exist or for us to be moral.
Religious critics of atheism and evolution allege that without the guiding force of some god, some supernatural power, there can be no reasonable explanation for the development of altruism and morality. In a purely materialistic and evolutionary nature, critics argue, there is no reason for altruism to exist or for us to be moral.
Anger: The Seven Deadly Sins
Everyone gets angry from time to time - arguments, heated words, and hateful thoughts that we wish we could take back. Anger has been the cause of much suffering, sorrow, and tragedy. Some argue that anger is an inevitable part of being human, something that must be endured and channeled; some even argue that it has its uses if properly directed.
Everyone gets angry from time to time - arguments, heated words, and hateful thoughts that we wish we could take back. Anger has been the cause of much suffering, sorrow, and tragedy. Some argue that anger is an inevitable part of being human, something that must be endured and channeled; some even argue that it has its uses if properly directed.
Should Parents Be Licensed?
Procreation is a natural part of being human; indeed, it’s a natural part of life in general. It may not be one of those things that “simply happens,” but it does happen without always a great deal of forethought and preparation. There are some who argue, though, that it should...
Procreation is a natural part of being human; indeed, it’s a natural part of life in general. It may not be one of those things that “simply happens,” but it does happen without always a great deal of forethought and preparation. There are some who argue, though, that it should...
On Apology
The concept of 'apology' is basic to all human cultures - indeed, it is arguably basic to human nature and communities in general. What, however, is an 'apology,' what makes one effective, and how can people learn to apologize in a better manner? For a concept that is supposed to be so fundamental, it’s curious that so many questions would exist about it.
The concept of 'apology' is basic to all human cultures - indeed, it is arguably basic to human nature and communities in general. What, however, is an 'apology,' what makes one effective, and how can people learn to apologize in a better manner? For a concept that is supposed to be so fundamental, it’s curious that so many questions would exist about it.
Morality Matters
Does morality matter? It’s difficult to see how it wouldn’t, but in an age when relativism has gained such widespread currency that may not be the case. After all, if every moral choice is equally valid, how can moral choices really matter at all? That isn’t very credible, though, which is a good reason to doubt the validity of relativism...
Does morality matter? It’s difficult to see how it wouldn’t, but in an age when relativism has gained such widespread currency that may not be the case. After all, if every moral choice is equally valid, how can moral choices really matter at all? That isn’t very credible, though, which is a good reason to doubt the validity of relativism...
The Moral Authority of Nature
Whether made explicit or merely implicit, the principle of 'it's unnatural, therefore it’s wrong' appears in a wide variety of arguments for a great many positions. It’s likely that as far back as people could even think about it, they have connected what is good, beautiful, or proper with what they assume to be “natural.” We can find it in literature, ethics, science, philosophy, and religion.
Whether made explicit or merely implicit, the principle of 'it's unnatural, therefore it’s wrong' appears in a wide variety of arguments for a great many positions. It’s likely that as far back as people could even think about it, they have connected what is good, beautiful, or proper with what they assume to be “natural.” We can find it in literature, ethics, science, philosophy, and religion.
Walking the Tightrope of Reason
One of the things which sets humanity apart from other animals is our ability to use reason; unfortunately, another thing that sets us apart is our ability to be irrational and ignore reason. Perhaps, though, these two characteristics are as opposite as they might appear - perhaps there is a necessary connection between rationality and the acceptance of irrationality.
One of the things which sets humanity apart from other animals is our ability to use reason; unfortunately, another thing that sets us apart is our ability to be irrational and ignore reason. Perhaps, though, these two characteristics are as opposite as they might appear - perhaps there is a necessary connection between rationality and the acceptance of irrationality.
Debating the Death Penalty: Should America Have Capital Punishment
Debates about the death penalty sometimes take a back seat to those over matters such as abortion, but they don't really end and they rarely seem to arrive at any sort of conclusion. This shouldn't be a surprise - capital punishment has been in regular use in the West for thousands of years, and no one started to question it in a serious manner until a couple of centuries ago.
Debates about the death penalty sometimes take a back seat to those over matters such as abortion, but they don't really end and they rarely seem to arrive at any sort of conclusion. This shouldn't be a surprise - capital punishment has been in regular use in the West for thousands of years, and no one started to question it in a serious manner until a couple of centuries ago.
Lust: The Seven Deadly Sins
Most people are acquainted with sin, especially if we define "sin" more broadly than narrow Christian doctrine and include within it the concept simply of transgressing boundaries of appropriate behavior. There are few sins with which people are so well acquainted as the sin of lust. But should lust get such a negative reputation and be treated as something dirty and nasty?
Most people are acquainted with sin, especially if we define "sin" more broadly than narrow Christian doctrine and include within it the concept simply of transgressing boundaries of appropriate behavior. There are few sins with which people are so well acquainted as the sin of lust. But should lust get such a negative reputation and be treated as something dirty and nasty?
Atheism, Morality, and Meaning
Morality has played an important role in both religion and theism throughout human history. So deeply intertwined have the two been that most people today sincerely believe that morality isn't possible outside of religion or, at the very least, without belief in God. As a consequence, atheists are commonly thought of as being immoral and lacking any purpose or meaning to their lives.
Morality has played an important role in both religion and theism throughout human history. So deeply intertwined have the two been that most people today sincerely believe that morality isn't possible outside of religion or, at the very least, without belief in God. As a consequence, atheists are commonly thought of as being immoral and lacking any purpose or meaning to their lives.
Can We Be Good Without God?
For much of human history, there has been the perception that morality is largely or wholly dependent upon religion. Thus, people have argued that a person simply cannot be good without a religious belief system and, more importantly, a belief in some god. But is this perception accurate?
For much of human history, there has been the perception that morality is largely or wholly dependent upon religion. Thus, people have argued that a person simply cannot be good without a religious belief system and, more importantly, a belief in some god. But is this perception accurate?
In Defense of Sin
In Western society, the traditional attitude stands against sin, sinning and sinners. This does not, however, mean that everyone has formed judgments against sin - a few brave philosophers have tried to offer arguments in support of behavior or beliefs which have usually been regarded as sinful. Are any of these arguments successful, and what do they tell us about the nature of morality?
In Western society, the traditional attitude stands against sin, sinning and sinners. This does not, however, mean that everyone has formed judgments against sin - a few brave philosophers have tried to offer arguments in support of behavior or beliefs which have usually been regarded as sinful. Are any of these arguments successful, and what do they tell us about the nature of morality?
Caring for the Dying: Critical Issues at the Edge of Life
What does it mean to "die well"? There is a lot of debate about that today because the ability of medical technology to extend life doesn't always translate into an ability to make that life pleasant or meaningful. Sometimes, people feel that it would be better not to extend life so much and allow a person to die a bit sooner.
What does it mean to "die well"? There is a lot of debate about that today because the ability of medical technology to extend life doesn't always translate into an ability to make that life pleasant or meaningful. Sometimes, people feel that it would be better not to extend life so much and allow a person to die a bit sooner.
Being Good: A Short Introduction to Ethics
With all of the cultural and religious challenges which face us today, is there still any way to think and act ethically? That's a very good question, and Simon Backburn's newest book is designed to give people an introduction on what ethics are, the different ways which people can approach ethics, and finally why ethics really matter to us.
With all of the cultural and religious challenges which face us today, is there still any way to think and act ethically? That's a very good question, and Simon Backburn's newest book is designed to give people an introduction on what ethics are, the different ways which people can approach ethics, and finally why ethics really matter to us.
Beyond Repair? America's Death Penalty
Capital punishment is one of the most serious issues in America's criminal justice system, and no other criminal issue raises nearly as much passion and debate. Killing another human being, whatever the reasons or circumstances, is a grave matter that cannot be taken lightly - but is it just and appropriate to use death as a means of punishment?
Capital punishment is one of the most serious issues in America's criminal justice system, and no other criminal issue raises nearly as much passion and debate. Killing another human being, whatever the reasons or circumstances, is a grave matter that cannot be taken lightly - but is it just and appropriate to use death as a means of punishment?
Business Ethics: Corporate Values and Society
With the mounting scandals which have been dominating the news, people might be forgiven if they come to believe that the phrase "Business Ethics" is an oxymoron. However, there is a case to be made that the pursuit of business is perfectly compatible with living an ethical life - the problem is, not enough business leaders in the United States are familiar with - or accept - that case.
With the mounting scandals which have been dominating the news, people might be forgiven if they come to believe that the phrase "Business Ethics" is an oxymoron. However, there is a case to be made that the pursuit of business is perfectly compatible with living an ethical life - the problem is, not enough business leaders in the United States are familiar with - or accept - that case.
Who Owns Death? Capital Punishment, the American Conscience
Capital Punishment is an issue of frequent and heated debates in America - one of the last industrialized countries to retain this form of punishment. Lifton and Mitchell are not supporters of the death penalty, but in this case they offer a new and unusual look at the debate.
Capital Punishment is an issue of frequent and heated debates in America - one of the last industrialized countries to retain this form of punishment. Lifton and Mitchell are not supporters of the death penalty, but in this case they offer a new and unusual look at the debate.
Meditations for the Humanist: Ethics for a Secular Age
According to Socrates, an unexamined life is not worth living - but why is that so, and do you agree? Do you reflect upon your life? Is your life worth living? Moreover, if an examined life is so important, just what is necessary to achieve it?
According to Socrates, an unexamined life is not worth living - but why is that so, and do you agree? Do you reflect upon your life? Is your life worth living? Moreover, if an examined life is so important, just what is necessary to achieve it?
Forbidden Fruit: The Ethics of Humanism
Is it possible to live a life of happiness and moral responsibility without religion or even without belief in a god? Conventional wisdom and long-standing traditional attitudes hold that both religion and theism are necessary for happiness and morality - but through history a few have argued the contrary. Do they argue convincingly, though?
Is it possible to live a life of happiness and moral responsibility without religion or even without belief in a god? Conventional wisdom and long-standing traditional attitudes hold that both religion and theism are necessary for happiness and morality - but through history a few have argued the contrary. Do they argue convincingly, though?