An even-handed and highly readable rumination on the nature of morality.
Johnson articulates a theory on the function of morality in this philosophical work.
Per the author, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, the problem with morality comes from the difficulty in squaring our ideal of living a “good” life (a moral life) with our drive to live “the good life” (a happy and fulfilling life). “Much of human history,” writes Johnson, “can be seen as an attempt to harmonize these two quests.” Though many moral systems are based in religion, the concept of morality is not inherently theological. Such systems exist, he argues, to help us negotiate between competing wants, needs, and desires (WNDs), both within ourselves and in relation to the wants, needs, and desires of others. With this book, the author proposes a set of considerations for assessing moral systems—the factors that shape them, the forms they take, and the various ways their precepts have been defended or assailed over time. He examines a number of famous moral systems (including those of Epicurus, Plato, Hobbes, and Hume) as well as theories of absolutism, relativism, egotism, and determinism. Johnson’s prose is exacting but always accessible, elucidating complex concepts with economy and an eye for a memorable image: “The charge of ‘pig philosophy’ had been leveled at Bentham’s utilitarianism, since Bentham had argued that all pleasures are equal, that ‘push-pin is as good as poetry’ if it results in pleasure…Bentham’s critics suggested that a pig happy in a mud puddle would be an ideal utilitarian.” The author covers a lot of ground, providing historical context even as he outlines tensions that feel particularly timely in our age of politicized morality. The book would make a useful primer for a college philosophy class, or for anyone interested in a sober approach to the topic.
An even-handed and highly readable rumination on the nature of morality.Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2022
ISBN: 9781666721324
Page Count: 200
Publisher: Wipf and Stock
Review Posted Online: March 20, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2024
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
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
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