Philosophy & Religion
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by Edward O. Wilson (Get the Book)
Wilson (Pelligrino University Professor Emeritus, Harvard Univ.; The Social Conquest of Earth), who is perhaps best recognized as the "father of sociobiology" as well as the world's leading expert on myrmecology, here asks the question that is the logical extension of his life's work: What does it mean to be human? Humans have evolved to instinctively surrender some individuality to the survival of the group, placing them among the rare eusocial species. Wilson has spent considerable energy in past writings defending the theory of group selection over kin selection, and does so again here, emphasizing throughout the book that while individual selfishness in human evolution benefits individuals, altruistic groups have better benefited survival, giving rise to social virtues and cooperation. Wilson also promotes here, as he has in the past, a "new enlightenment" with the goal of progressing toward an intellectual continuum between the hard sciences and the humanities. VERDICT The importance of preserving the biodiversity that gave rise to humanity matters to Wilson, a point he emphasizes by cautioning us against engineering the planet exclusively to serve human needs, a gloomy dystopia he refers to as the "Age of Loneliness." This book will be of interest to the general reader. --Library Journal
by Tim Mulgan (Get the Book)
Utilitarianism - a philosophy based on the principle of the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people - has been hugely influential over the past two centuries. Beyond ethics or morality, utilitarian assumptions and arguments abound in modern economic and political life, especially in public policy. An understanding of utilitarianism is indeed essential to any understanding of contemporary society. "Understanding Utilitarianism" presents utilitarianism very much as a living tradition. The book begins with a summary of the classical utilitarianism of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Subsequent chapters trace the development of the central themes of utilitarian thought over the twentieth century, covering such questions as: What is happiness? Is happiness the only valuable thing? Is utilitarianism about acts or rules or institutions? Is utilitarianism unjust, or implausibly demanding, or impractical? and Where might utilitarianism go in the future? (Summary)
by Ram Das (Get the Book)
This collection of teachings by Ram Dass (Be Here Now), one of the United States' most famous spiritual seekers, is surprisingly fresh and accessible more than 40 years after the psychedelic psychologist first wrote about consciousness expansion through LSD. The anecdote-packed chapters cover many of the practices Ram Dass has used-devotional bhakti yoga, worldly karma yoga, daily practices like meditation and chanting-in his quest to become a more loving, compassionate being. He discusses serious issues with a frankness that opens up difficult topics, such as how he coped with a stroke that drastically changed his understanding of his role in the world. No longer did he feel special, "under the protective umbrella of my guru," he writes. Instead, he realized he was subject to the same, sometimes painful, process of aging and dying that everybody faces. His willingness to admit his own mistakes and turn them into lessons for personal growth is refreshing, and allows readers to see themselves in his story. The collection successfully straddles a fine line, providing both a broad overview for those new to Ram Dass's writings and an engaging recap for readers who have enjoyed his previous books. --Publishers Weekly
by Sam Eldredge (Get the Book)
John Eldredge (Wild at Heart) is joined by his son, Sam, for a give-and-take examination of what it takes to become a man. A writer in his 20s, Sam asks advice from his father John, a Christian counselor, author, and adventurer, and John responds. The elder Eldredge rejects the hackneyed "the journey is the destination" language, instead counseling his son that it's time to enter into the "warrior" phase of becoming who you are meant to be. With allusions and stories drawn from literature, global adventures, mistakes John has made, and sound fatherly advice, the book also includes prayers for guidance and for sexual healing. For John Eldredge fans, seeing the younger and more idealistic Eldredge not getting doused with cold water and told to grow up, but instead fanned into flame by his father is pure gold for fathers and their young adult sons. --Publishers Weekly
by Stasi Eldredge (Get the Book)
With a writing style that makes the reader feel she is having an intimate chat over coffee with a close friend, Eldredge, who co-authored the bestselling Captivating and Love and War with her husband John, goes solo for this journey to the development of life-changing self-esteem. She offers practical ways to embrace the unique dream God has for each woman's life regardless of past mistakes or present feelings of inadequacy. Transformation must happen from the inside out, she says, but until women can see themselves through God's eyes, it won't happen. She offers humor, liberating insights, biblical lessons, and insightful imagery colored by blunt talk and brutally honest personal examples-including her battles with weight gain-to encourage women to see themselves in a different light. The conversation rambles as chats between friends do, but focus can become foggy. Study notes at the end of chapters or in the rear of the book might have been helpful tools for pulling concepts together and providing ways for digesting more of this meaty food for thought. --Publishers Weekly
