An ambitious but rambling discussion of moral philosophy.
A writer offers a sweeping tour of the history of moral philosophy in this treatise.
Joy repeatedly reminds readers that questions of moral philosophy are notoriously difficult, or, as he puts it, “one hell of a matter to discuss.” In order to gain firmer ground, the author delves into the history of philosophical thought on moral topics, a wide-ranging consideration that refreshingly doesn’t limit itself to Western sources. Joy includes a discussion of Indian and Chinese thought; he also furnishes an intriguing analysis of unjustly neglected figures like the Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget. Along the way, the author delivers some rich details about the history of moral philosophy. He looks at the unfolding of this history as an evolution—he refers to it as “Morality’s Ladder”—that proceeds from societal deference to authoritative morality to rigorous empirical inquiry. But while Joy makes it clear that he advocates the substitution of philosophy (as traditionally conceived) for modern science as a means to understanding the character of moral life, he provides no searching reasons for this. He seems to believe the technological progress of science settles the issue. Moreover, the author’s contentions are rife with contradictions—he asserts, without evidence, that philosophy is based on “cooperation, mutual aid, and self-interest,” seemingly unaware of the tension among these. Joy concedes he is neither an expert nor even a student of philosophy, and this often shows—his very brief sketches of the great moral thinkers lack both depth and basic accuracy. (Hobbes does not reduce morality to “man’s taste.”) The author digresses to describe the basic elements of the brain, presumably to argue that moral philosophy requires neuroscience, but he never makes that case: “The moral of the story is, what the hell is really occurring when one makes a decision or makes a judgment?” In addition, Joy’s prose is often as circuitous as his analysis is uneven.
An ambitious but rambling discussion of moral philosophy.Pub Date: Sept. 16, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-73565-080-7
Page Count: 310
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: Nov. 13, 2020
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
The value of this book is the context it provides, in a style aimed at a concerned citizenry rather than fellow academics,...
A provocative analysis of the parallels between Donald Trump’s ascent and the fall of other democracies.
Following the last presidential election, Levitsky (Transforming Labor-Based Parties in Latin America, 2003, etc.) and Ziblatt (Conservative Parties and the Birth of Democracy, 2017, etc.), both professors of government at Harvard, wrote an op-ed column titled, “Is Donald Trump a Threat to Democracy?” The answer here is a resounding yes, though, as in that column, the authors underscore their belief that the crisis extends well beyond the power won by an outsider whom they consider a demagogue and a liar. “Donald Trump may have accelerated the process, but he didn’t cause it,” they write of the politics-as-warfare mentality. “The weakening of our democratic norms is rooted in extreme partisan polarization—one that extends beyond policy differences into an existential conflict over race and culture.” The authors fault the Republican establishment for failing to stand up to Trump, even if that meant electing his opponent, and they seem almost wistfully nostalgic for the days when power brokers in smoke-filled rooms kept candidacies restricted to a club whose members knew how to play by the rules. Those supporting the candidacy of Bernie Sanders might take as much issue with their prescriptions as Trump followers will. However, the comparisons they draw to how democratic populism paved the way toward tyranny in Peru, Venezuela, Chile, and elsewhere are chilling. Among the warning signs they highlight are the Republican Senate’s refusal to consider Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee as well as Trump’s demonization of political opponents, minorities, and the media. As disturbing as they find the dismantling of Democratic safeguards, Levitsky and Ziblatt suggest that “a broad opposition coalition would have important benefits,” though such a coalition would strike some as a move to the center, a return to politics as usual, and even a pragmatic betrayal of principles.
The value of this book is the context it provides, in a style aimed at a concerned citizenry rather than fellow academics, rather than in the consensus it is not likely to build.Pub Date: Jan. 16, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5247-6293-3
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Crown
Review Posted Online: Nov. 12, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2017
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