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Since the days of the first primitive tribes, we have tried to determine why one man is good and another evil. Mark Matousek arrives at the answer in Ethical Wisdom.
Contrary to what we've been taught in our reason-obsessed culture, emotions are the bedrock of ethical life; without them, human beings cannot be empathic, moral, or good.
But how do we make the judgment call between self-interest and caring for others? What does being good really mean? Which parts of morality are biological, which ethical? When should instinct be trusted and when does it lead us into trouble? How can we know ourselves to be good amidst the hypocrisy, fears, and sabotaging appetites that pervade our two-sided natures?
Drawing on the latest scientific research and interviews with social scientists, spiritual leaders, ex-cons, altruists, and philosophers, Matousek examines morality from a scientific, sociological, and anthropological standpoint. Each chapter features a series of questions, readings, interviews, parables, and anecdotes that zoom in on a particular niche of moral inquiry, making this book both utilitarian and fun.
Ethical Wisdom is an insightful and important book for readers crisscrossing their own murky moral terrain.
A bestselling memoirist tackles fundamental questions regarding good and evil and the impulses that guide human behavior and emotions.
O: The Oprah Magazine contributor Matousek (When You're Falling, Dive: Lessons in the Art of Living, 2008, etc.) explores a variety of anecdotal evidence and testimony from thinkers in diverse disciplines—psychology, philosophy, neuroscience, religion—in an attempt to explain why people make certain moral choices. The narrative is largely parabolic with numerous stories that offer moral quandaries and often shocking human behaviors. Early on, the author draws on the research of neuroscientist V.S. Ramachandran (The Tell-Tale Brain, 2010, etc.), who argues for the existence of mirror neurons, which enable us to show empathy toward others by partially feeling their emotions via a neurological correspondence or mirroring of another's actual feelings.Later, Matousek relates the Buddhist notion of "Hungry Ghosts" (i.e., people with an insatiable ego) to help explain phenomena like greed, envy and materialism in American society. In one compelling chapter, the author looks at the work of psychologist Erich Fromm and the notion of "group narcissism," whereby loyalty to a group can devolve into blind and dangerous "us-versus-them" prejudice.In another anecdote, he relates the story of a young child exhibiting psychopathic behavior like hanging a cat and taking delight in his mother's reaction. The author's straightforward and colloquial approach to complex ethical questions is refreshing, and the numerous parables are fascinating. However, Matousek makes frequent sweeping generalizations and other fallacies that become a major distraction. Ultimately, the idea of "what makes us good" deteriorates so much so that the more interesting question becomes "why are we evil?" The author begins the book with the premise that each human being is born with a "moral organ" that guides behavior. Though meant figuratively, it's a distracting non sequitur that leads him on a slippery slope of unwarranted assumptions and a host of generalizations.
An entertaining though logically dubious examination of the origins and manifestations of moral behavior.
Author's Note xiii
Introduction 1
Part 1 The Laugh That Preceded Philosophy
Harm/Care
Homo Duplex 21
Mirrors in the Mind 28
Mother and Child 32
Venus and Mars 37
Emotions 43
Emotional Intelligence 70
Part 2 Suckers, Grudgers, and Cheaters
Justice/Fairness
We Tell Ourselves Stories 79
Who Am I? 86
"Ought" Does Not Exist in Nature 92
When the Penis Gets Hard, the Brain Goes Soft 99
The Mardi Gras Effect 105
Suckers, Grudgers, and Cheaters 113
The Green-Eyed Monsters 119
Lex Talionis 125
Ends and Means 130
Game Theory 135
Altruism 140
Part 3 Man Is Wolf to Man
Loyalty
Loyalty 147
Us Versus Them 152
Group Narcissism 157
Memes 162
Donkeys and Elephants 168
Part 4 The Higher a Monkey Climbs, the More You Can See of Its Behind
Respect/Authority
Holy Shit 175
The Dark Triad 180
Evil 189
Playing with Power 198
One Up, One Down 203
The Passions 208
Part 5 How Ought I to Live?
Purity/Sacredness
The Holy Question 221
Tests, Games, and Challenges 234
Notes 239
Acknowledgments 253
Anonymous
Posted May 29, 2013
This book is not only a "must-read," but also a "must-have" for anyone interested in universal human condition. Mark's has a magical way of navigating the labyrinths of neuroscience and bio-psychology to offer insight into what it truly means to be human. As a professional educator, I strongly recommend this book to students and reluctant learners, as well as to teachers who have a hard time finding meaningful examples from life that engage all students. It is brilliant!
Vanja
Overview
Since the days of the first primitive tribes, we have tried to determine why one man is good and another evil. Mark Matousek arrives at the answer in Ethical Wisdom.
Contrary to what we've been taught in our reason-obsessed culture, emotions are the bedrock of ethical life; without them, human beings cannot be empathic, moral, or good.
But how do we make the judgment call between self-interest and caring for others? What does being good really ...