Ethics Books

I love this little book and use it all the time when chanting the sutras, gathas and such. It's part of my daily practice.

The general text is clear and insightful.

If you are looking for something to guide you in integrating your Zen with your daily life, this book will be a great help.

This is an excellent book for those new to Zen liturgy and those desiring to bring liturgy into their daily practice. Especially for those who are far from or don't have acsess to a practice group.

I want to agree with the review below and just say that whenever I read any of Ivan's books [I keep re-reading them!] I feel more real and definitely feel better about living in this world. 'Challenges' is a great collection by some of Ivan's friends. Some of the articles are a bit intellectually weighty but there are a few really accessible chapters that newcomers will understand. As John W. Verity suggested - try and read Ivan's earlier stuff - its very readable and VERY relevant right now. His work disturbs, motivates, inspires a sense of peace and acceptance - And despite his largely accessible writing style he's actually hard to pin down at times, but this is what makes him cool. I get the sense that he'd 'accept' ANY predictable label one would throw at him with a big cheeky smile on his cute face. I really wish I'd had the chance to meet him and cuddle him whether he liked it or not. He would no doubt have told me whether he wanted me around or not, but at least I would have got to touch him...!

If you're unfamiliar with Ivan Illich and his penetrating critique of the modern, industrialized, commodified, Western way of life, this is not the book for you. Better you should read Illich's Deschooling Society, Tools for Conviviality, or Gender--indeed, any of his dozen or so major books. Or, listen to the Canadian Broadcasting Co.'s engaging interviews with Illich, available on tape from CBC and Amazon.
If, though, you've read Illich or heard him speak, you know the ethical and intellectual challenges he presents and you'll no doubt appreciate this well-chosen collection of essays. It appears to be the most comprehensive treatment yet of Illich's thought, and as such it is long overdue. (As Carl Mitcham's introductory essay points out, there have been several books over the years that deal with specific areas of Illich's thought, such as his call for deschooling. David Cayley's Ivan Illich in Conversation, based on the CBC interviews, provides perhaps the best single overview of Illich's life and work.)
To truly grasp Illich's arguments, I have found, is to find oneself moved and even pained. It is to feel, to truly feel in one's gut, a tension between great power and immense powerlessness. Illich the visionary anarchist champions autonomy, communities of people working and caring for each other rather than depending on anonymous professionals, nurturing deep friendships, and living free of artificially imposed hierarchies. So, Illich's vision inspires one to act and change the world somehow. Yet, Illich the social historian explains better than anyone else around how enslaved we have become to overgrown institutions and the economically driven service economy. Certain tools, like the car, have gained "radical monopolies" over our lives and are now terribly difficult to do without. Just as the over-consumption of goods tends to ruin the physical environment, he makes clear, the over-consumption of services such as compulsory education and medical care wrecks the social fabric. Schools make us dumb, hospitals increase sickness, cars frustrate by causing traffic jams and costing us dearly.
The essays in this book range from the highly personal to the highly intellectual. Each of the contributors knows Illich's work well or worked closely with the man over the years. And each, in his or her own way, explains how Illich's relentless critique has challenged them in their own daily lives, professions, or academic thinking.
There is a great deal of love expressed here, as there should be. Illich inspired many people over the years yet always declined, not always so graciously, to actively play the guru. His great intellectual and rhetorical gifts make this humility and renunciation of power all the more impressive.
Though Illich has largely been dismissed in the U.S. since the early 1970s (when Deschooling Society actually got him 15 minutes on the Dick Cavett show), I understand that in Europe and in "developing" nations, he is widely regarded as one of the more incisive social critics.
One hopes that this volume's co-editors will follow through on their hint within that they may pull together another such book of tributes to and engagements with Ivan Illich. I wouldn't be surprised, despite Illich's death in December 2002, to see interest in his work actually increase in coming years as his critique reveals itself to be more accurate and useful than we can understand right now.

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If dealing with another culture whether moving or in America. This book explicitly talks about serveral major differences we need to face and work within

"Change Across Culture" (CAC) is a masterful exposition of the innate intricacies in transforming cultures using redemption as the "valid basis for cross-cultural ethics." Bradshaw rejects functionalism upfront insisting that for "innovations" to be implemented within culture in a "sustainable way" they must be integrated into the "cultural narratives" of the community.

Bradshaw eloquently defines narratives as the "stories that govern our lives." They (the narratives) "are templates through which we interpret reality and the means through which we seek continuity in our lives." The Christian narrative, says Bradshaw, is centered "on Christ and his redemptive relationship with creation." He further argues that the Bible, rather than being a narrative, is in reality a meta-narrative because instead of making "all cultures look alike" reconciliation in fact is an "effort to offer all people in all cultures values that will empower them to enhance their lives." This is done, says Bradshaw, through the transformation of the "values that shape their cultural narratives."

Bradshaw argues that redemption is "God¡¦s reconciling work in creation" and can be used as a basis for ethics because it is "universally valid and culturally specific." "The validity of redemption," says Bradshaw, "is that it is a unifying theory bearing witness to God as the agent of causation because it bears the meaning of it¡¦s agent."

Using redemption as an ethical basis for cultural change, Bradshaw moves on to tackle some difficult and significant problems facing the world today. He maintains that before cultures can be managed, the "worldviews that are buried within" them "need to be excavated." By "excavating" the worldviews of modern Christianity he concludes that "Gnostic creation stories" have had more influence than the "Biblical creation stories" in shaping contemporary Christian worldviews. He convincingly shows how this "Gnostic legacy" is the root of the "ecological crises in Christianity" today.

In later chapters the author shows how redemption can liberate people from serving their cultures and how positive transformation enables them to become masters of, rather than slaves to, their culture. Bradshaw asserts that "theological doctrine" alone is not able to create sustainable change. "Encounters with people of other faiths," says Bradshaw, "do not begin with discussions of doctrine. Instead they begin when people express their faith through their efforts to cope with the struggles of daily life." He concludes that "lasting change only occurs when people are empowered through the redemptive work of God through Christ to transform the elements within their culture that disempower them."

Bradshaw shows how the powers that be are redeemed when the "Church challenges their authority by exercising their moral agency and empower people to transform the narratives of their cultures to embody the redemptive work of Christ in creation." He argues that this type of transformation can only be achieved through subordination to the authorities and accepting the consequences of exercising their moral agency. Christians and the Church cannot compromise and must be the moral voice that challenges society and governments to act in an ethical manner. Bradshaw shows how redemption has the ability to empower women and to liberate them from cultures that oppress and abuse them. He argues that early Christianity did not discriminate against women but rather enabled them to be leaders in the early Church.

In a later chapter Bradshaw tackles economic exploitation and acknowledges that "people who have any hope of achieving economic viability in the modern global economy can no longer assume that nature is the source of their wealth." He argues that Small Enterprise Development (SED) is the way to tackle exploitation and that "Christians establish SED programs on the assumption that the redemptive work of God is embodied in the mundane structures of society." Bradshaw affirms that SEDs can be redemptive and can contribute to the well being of the whole community.

CAC is a book that addresses a broad range of problems but retains the centrality of Christ and never loses focus on God as the agent of redemption. Throughout this volume the central role of Christ in the transformation of demeaning and oppressive cultural values is never lost.

CAC is a stunning achievement written by a man of experience. It is not a theoretical treatise, but an intelligent, practical aid to understanding how to achieve sustainable transformation of cultural ethics that disempower, degrade, deceive, control, and exploit millions of people today. Bradshaw writes with compassion that is rooted in reality. He has been an eyewitness to some of the most devastating human tragedies of our era. By using specific examples of real people he returns humanity to those who have been downtrodden and abused by the cultures in which they live. His understanding and desire to help change those things that de-humanize humans is a lesson to us all, and should be heeded. Whether we like it or not, we all live within narratives that govern our lives. The only question is will we have the courage to change those values within our own narratives that de-humanize others and make us slaves. Will we, as individuals, allow the redemptive work of God to redeem not only ourselves but also those values that destroy us, our friends, and even our enemies?

I am a Lead Chaplain for a State Police Department that is trying to find its way in organizing the chaplaincy. This is by far the best rescource I have founde. It is a must read for any chaplain or supervisor at any level of an agency that is either starting up or reviewing a chaplaincy program. It is thorough but it doesn't bog you down with needless details. It has answered questions I really didn't know to ask. MUST READ!!!

If a police department or county sheriff's department wants to have a chaplain program, this is the book that can guide a committee through the process. It is written by highly qualified chaplains with many years of experience. Good resources included.

Best price around, shipping was pretty fast too. Book is for my employment so I guess the content is what it's supposed to be. I usually find a good price here at amazon, but if you just want to rent(like for an employer's exam/school) [...]

In this fifth edition of his acclaimed text on law enforcement ethics, Edwin Delattre takes on some of the toughest moral problems facing police officers these days. And he does so with a great amount of clarity and tact.

Although some chapters probably do go on a bit longer than they should, this can be forgiven due to the amount of interesting content contained therein. Delattre has been teaching police ethics courses and working with law enforcement officers for over twenty years, so he definitely knows what he's talking about. He addresses difficult moral and ethical questions in a very succinct manner, without leaving the reader feel as if they are "left hanging," so to speak. His arguments are clear and highly readable, and above all else, they make sense!

I'd have to say that my favorite chapters are Chapter 9: Illegal Narcotics--Moral Issues and Public Policy (in which the author examines both sides of the dead horse drug legalization argument and reaches a very sensible conclusion), Chapter 15: Fatalism, Microcosms, and Therapeutic Reductions, and Chapter 17: Police, The O.J. Simpson Trial, and Race (which examines the Simpson trial in considerable detail, as well as the implications of the verdict). That said, every chapter in the book offers some wonderful insights.

This is highly recommended reading for anyone even remotely interested in law enforcement and, in particular, for those who have taken an interest in how some tough ethical issues that face police officers can be resolved.

Proves that some kinds of advice are timeless. If you are reading a historical review of the man's life, you should read his own words too.

This is a collection of BTW's Sunday sermons to his Tuskegee students. Originally published in 1902, the lessons on thrift, clean living, sharing what you learn with others, the need to read, and the value of education of the heart as well as the head are still valuable a century later. Does not date too badly and with so many young people growing up today without this kind of advice in the home, it's needed just as much today.

Many uninformed people dismiss BTW as an "Uncle Tom," but the publication of more of his writings like this will show that in spite of any faults, he was a very useful person in the upliftment of people. Read it and see.

Wegner tries to understand the status of woman as given in the Mishnah. Her major point is that it is by and large determined by her sexual status. A minor girl is under the authority of her father, a married woman under that of her husband. The father can sell the daughter to her prospective husband. The wife must undergo the trial of 'Sotah' at suspicion of infidelity, whereas there is no such demand of the husband.
Wenger claims that women , such as the girl who attains adult status, the divorcee, who are not under the sexual jurisdiction of a man have prerogatives and freedom.
Wenger too points out however the privileges and respect the system gives to women, the way the Torah protects the woman by such means as Ketubbah, and by the Halachic demands made upon the husband to provide for his wife's sexual needs, her food and clothing, her standard of living at least as high as it was previously.
Wegner says that women in the Mishnah have mixed status often, combining elements of being chattel and of being independent respected persons.

Knowing the complexities associated with studying Jewish Law, especially those laws based on gender, this book is an asset to you library.

Wegner explains these laws, offers a variety of Rabbinic commentaries throughout the centuries as well as modern day feminist interpretations and arguments. Her easy to follow commentary makes understanding the history of the Mishnah and purpose of these laws a comprehendable process for the professor as well as the students of the Mishnah. I would highly recommend adding this book to your library, preferably in hardback, seeing how you will refer to it time and time again.

If you are starting a business or are currently running a business Cheat To Win is incredible. It is simply a book that will show you how to be successful in your business, written by a man (Robert W. MacDonald) who has already succeeded in building up his own insurance company (LifeUSA) which was eventually sold for $540 million dollars.

Cheat To Win cuts through all of the hype and explains how to truly build a business up according to your own terms and not to fall in to certain traps that can destroy an organization. It shows how to truly lead by empowering others, not by ruling them.

I highly recommend this book and have already begun incorporating some of these guidelines to help imrprove my own software company (di-Doolicity Innovations).

ANYONE TRAPPED IN HIS OWN ENVIRONMENT NEEDS TO GET THE EXPERIENCE OF THIS BOOK. CORPORATE CONFUSION, LACK OF DIRECTION, BUDDING GENIUS,SHOULD REALLY APPRECIATE THE INTENTIONS TO MOTIVATE AND INSPIRE RAW TALENT. A LAUGH A CHAPTER, AN IDEA TO EXPAND, AND THE EXPERIENCE OF THE WRITER ARE WORTH THE FEW HOURS IT TAKES TO REALLY READ THIS BOOK. YOU'LL WANT TO READ IT AGAIN AS I DID TO REALLY APPRECIATE IT'S WISDOM. BUY IT FOR ALL YOUR FRIENDS WHO YOU KNOW HAVE THE ABILITY TO WIN, BUT LACK THE CONFIDENCE.NOT FOR LOOSERS.A WIN WIN FOR THE READER.

I found this book to the point, insightful and most of all practical. I highly recommend it to technology professionals in the field of Information management.

This book is the one place to get all the information you needed for Performance Management. The author outlines how combining the traditional role of CFO and CIO, into the Chief Performance Officer can increase business value.
If you try to get this information from other books or industry analysts (ie. Gartner, Meta, Giga) there is no clear methodology on how to implement a program like this. This book offered the one-stop shopping for perormance management.
I like the short case studies in each chapter, since they drive home how people are really doing this.
It is a detailed enough book to get the right information, but overburdened with academic theories which can never be applied in business.
I would love to see a follow-on book for more case studies and the CPO in action.

This remarkable book approaches the topic of animal cruelty and interpersonal violence in a way that does not exclude interested but non-subject matter expert readers from comprehending its content and message. Dr. Ascione has achieved the perfect balance of empirical research/data/results with actual case studies that put a human face on the numbers. It is quite evident that a great deal of research went into creating this extensive and comprehensive piece. I would recommend this book for professionals and non-professionals alike.

Animal abuse has been an acknowledged problem for centuries, but only within the past few decades has scientific research provided evidence that the maltreatment of animals often overlaps with violence toward people. The variants of violence, including bullying or assaults in a schoolyard, child abuse in homes, violence between adult intimate partners, community hostility in our streets and neighborhoods, and even the context of war, are now the subject of concerted research efforts. Very often, the association of these forms of violence with cruelty to animals has been found. The perpetrators of such inhumane treatment are often children and adolescents.



Children and animals: Exploring the Roots of Kindness and Cruelty presents the current scientific and professional wisdom about the relation between the maltreatment of animals and interpersonal violence directed toward other human beings. However, the author, Frank R. Ascione, a noted expert in these areas, writes in a style and presents the finding in language that will be understandable to parents, teachers, counselors, clergy, animal welfare professionals, foster parents, mental health professionals, youth workers, law enforcement professionals, and anyone else whose work or interest crosses into the lives of children and animals.



Frank Ascione is a professor of psychology and adjunct professor of family, consume and human development at Utah State University . Ascione received the 2001 Distinguished Scholar Award from the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction and the International Society for Anthrozoology, and in 2002, was selected as USU 's College of Education Scholar/Researcher of the Year. Ascione serves on the Child and Animal Abuse Prevention Advisory Council of the Latham Foundation. During his career, he has published several books including Cruelty to Animals and Interpersonal Violence: Reading in Research and Application (1998), Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, and Animal Abuse: Linking the Circles of Compassion for Prevention and Intervention (1998), both by Purdue University Press, and authored Safe Havens for Pets: Guidelines for Programs Sheltering Pets for Women Who are Battered .