Ethics

Radical Evolution - The Promise and Peril of Enhancing Our Minds- Our Bodies -- and What It Means to

5 stars ("Enhanced Humans": Never Sleep and They Have Artificial Vision.) - Nanotechnology, communication technology, information technology, robotics, drugs, biology, and genetics all come together in this new book. I had a quick read and heard the author talk at some length on the radio about the book and the subject. From the book and from listening to the author, one is convinced that this is a solid effort. The book gives an overview of new technologies and drugs. The drugs are not your normal medications. They do things such as extend memory. The technologies can give us things such as artificial hearing and artificial sight. He describes how we can use electronic sensors in the brain to control robotics to help the handicapped move limbs. In the past we might have thought that some of these drugs and technologies would be radical, or far off in the distant future, but now many of the technologies are here. The author is an editor and a reporter at the Washington Post. He has published a number of articles and books including Edge City: Life on the New Frontier and The Nine Nations of North America. The book is entertaining, and the story and writing are probably better than if written by a scientist. In his radio interview, he said that he had travelled extensively to prepare for the book, absorbing new ideas and technologies being tested by drug companies, various universities, government agencies, and in other private industry. According to the author, the products of that research are here or are coming soon. Part of his challenge was to write a book that brings the reader up to date without sounding too crazy, or too techie, or too far out. If he just presents a lot of "gee whiz" chit chat, the reader will be turned off. After all, he is a Post writer, not a hack gadget salesman. So, he has attempted to explain the social impact as he goes through the book. Also, he does not want to give the impression that it is science fiction that we have here. It i...
Doubleday :: Science & General :: Technology :: Sociology :: Social Aspects :: Science&Mathematics :: Science :: Risk assessment :: Philosophy :: General :: Ethics & Moral Philosoph :: Radical Evolution - The Promise and Peril of Enhancing Our Minds- Our Bodies -- and What It Means to

Losing Moses on the Freeway - The 10 Commandments in America

5 stars (Text: 5 Title: 0 Marketing: - 10) - I purchased my copy of this abominably titled book in Borders, in the "Christianity, Practical Living" section. I am not a Christian and sought it out solely because of my familiarity with Hedges' earlier work. This is not a "Christian" book, any more than Krzysztof Kieslowski's "The Decalogue" (its model) is a "Christian" television series. Kieslowski and his writing partner, Krzysztof Piesiewicz, a lawyer from whose experiences several of the episodes were taken, focused "The Decalogue" on the fictionalized lives of people entangled in ancient moral dilemmas in bleak 1980s Warsaw. Hedges takes the same tack with ten non-fictional vignettes from life in 21st century post-industrial America. I find Hedges' writing almost unbearably intense; his moral authority clearly hard won. Even when I disagree with him, I have nothing but respect for his courage in refusing to look away. Here is a man who has obviously been deeply affected by what he has witnessed and experienced in life and is determined to learn---and teach---from it. That the teachings are very, very old only makes this book all the more worth reading, absorbing and passing on---whether you are a Christian or not. 5 stars (Losing Moses, but finding a great book. ) - I would highly recommend Hedges' book on the Ten Commandments. It is far more than your typical study guide. Rather, it provides a deep understanding of the ripple effect that our moral and ethical lapses have on those around us. In a world that is consumed with the end justifying the means, Hedges addresses in this decalogue the means that all might do well to consider. 5 stars (A New Code of Ethics to Live By) - Many Americans want to reduce the Ten Commandments to an idol to be worshipped in a public place. This book lives up to the original intent of the Ten Commandments - a guide to meditation on what really makes an ethical life. Read Jesus's Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapters...
Free Press :: Religion & General :: United States :: U S - Contemporary Politics :: Ten commandments :: Philosophy :: Moral conditions :: Hedges :: Chris :: General :: Ethics & Mora :: Losing Moses on the Freeway - The 10 Commandments in America

Ethics and Law for School Psychologists

Ethics and Law for School Psychologists ...
Wiley :: Teaching of those with special educational needs :: Psychology & Psychiatry & Education & Training :: Practical & applied ethics :: Law as it applies to oth :: Ethics and Law for School Psychologists

The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down

4 stars (Wonderful and informative) - I read this book for a Religions course, but this is definitely something I would have read on my own. If I hadn't had any background on hunting and gathering cultures I think I would have had hard time understanding things like dabs. But already knowing helped me put my knowledge in persepective and appreciate it more now. I gave it only 4 stars because I enjoyed the story about Lia and her family. The parts about the war, although I understand there importance (on how Hmong didn't really want to come to America to begin with, and how the CIA used them for the war), I got a little tired of reading. I especially enjoyed the tales about the spirits like Shee Yee and Nyong. This is a good cultural book that will put you in your place the next time you encounted someone of another culture and judge them. The best/worst part was the end (the shaman going into the realm of the unseen). It was the first time I really got into the book in a sense I wouldn't have heard a fire alarm going off next to me. Fadiman wrote it beautifully. But it just stopped. I wish I knew the outcome of Lia. 5 stars (A Story of Unconditional Love) - There are many themes in this book-unconditonal love, cultural clashes and misunderstandings. The author does an excellant job of telling both sides of the issue-the medical establishment's frustration at what they perceive as noncompliant parents and the parent's frustration at what they perceive as people trying to take their child away. Fadiman alternates between the story of a family trying to do what they believe is right for their child and the medical care the child receives, and the history of the Hmong. The history is very well done, as is the entire book. 4 stars (WOW!) - This is quite a true story, which incorporates the history of the Hmung people's past in SE Asia to their relocation to the U.S. The book creates a feeling of frustration because of the Hmungs refusal to assimilat...
Farrar- Straus and Giroux :: Political Science-International Relations - General :: Medical-Ethics :: Medical & Nursing :: Health - General :: Anne Fadiman :: :: The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down

Richest Man in Babylon

5 stars (Must Read) - Lessons from our past do help our future. Can we get Congress to read it? 5 stars (Simple, class ic advice) - This a a great easy read. I give it to clients - usually to help them understand how to teach their children about money and better understand themselves. 5 stars (A wonderful way to learn about money) - This is a beautiful little book. Parables bring home the relevance of basic financial planning concepts, making them tangible, understandable and memorable. Very easy to read. I bought a copy for everyone on my Christmas list last year. ...
Signet :: Business & Economics & General :: Wealth :: Ethics of :: Religion :: Motivational :: Inspirational - General :: Business Ethics :: Business & Economics & Finance :: G :: Richest Man in Babylon

Soul at Work- Spiritual Leadership in Organizations

5 stars (Spiritually-Grounded AND Successful) - In five to ten years time, I predict we will see a spurt of entrepreneurialism directly traceable to Margaret Benefiel's Soul at Work. Much writing about spirituality and the work place is little more than enthusiastic commentary. This book is much more. In its breadth of real world stories ranging from U2 to Reell Precision Manufacturing to Mercy Medical, Soul at Work tells the experiences of leaders in their own voices. These are not portraits of saints - of leaders who made decisions in extraordinary circumstances. These are ordinary people who did make the commitment to create an environment where they and their colleagues could bring their whole selves to work. Recognizing the array of spiritualities that leaders (and readers) bring, Benefiel defines soul as "the human spirit, fully engaged." Importantly, she has collected stories from a diversity of wisdom traditions. The book is divided into two sections, first hearing from the leaders themselves and then moving on to examining their organizations. The author concludes with a set of lessons/guides that are traced back to their origins in the stories presented. She helpfully demonstrates what people any place in an organization - and across a wide diversity of organizations - can do. What I found most exciting was that some readers who find their current circumstances inhospitable to bottom lines other than the financial may well be spurred to create new, more spiritually-grounded organizations that are also designed to be successful in the marketplace. Buy a copy for yourself - then buy another to share with colleagues. You'll want to keep your own handy. But as you read it, you'll want to be able to talk about it with people you know seek a fuller engagement of soul at work. 4 stars (Fully engaged) - On the first page of the Introduction (page 9 in the book) I got hooked when Margaret defined spirituality as "the human spirit, fully engaged." That drew m...
Seabury Books :: Religion - Missions :: Religion - Christian Living :: Religion :: Leadership :: Institutions & Organizations :: Ethics :: Christianity - Christian Life - Business :: Soul at Work- Spiritual Leadership in Organizations

The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism Routledge Classics Routledge Classics

5 stars ( A C lassic for All Times) - Weber's "Protestant Ethic" was originally published in 1904-1905 and later in a second, revised edition (1920). This edition is the second edition, and the translator is Talcott Parsons. In "The Protestant Ethic" Weber famously attempts to explain how the spirit of modern rational capitalism emerged; and he essentially argues that an important part in this process was played by what he termed ascetic protestantism or different types of Protestantism that were activistic and ascetic (most famously Calvinism). Ascetic Protestantism energized businessmen and workers, and valorized a new type of capitalism: rational capitalism which is much more methodical and dynamic in nature than the type of capitalism that existed in Europe in the 1500s ("traditional capitalism"). Today rational capitalism has conquered society and turned it into an iron cage (to use Parsons' famous translation of two words in German that are more accurately - and less imaginatively - translated as "steelhard casing"). "The Protestant Ethic" is by far the most famous sociological study and is unsurpassed in theoretical boldness and creativity. Parsons said that he found it as exciting to read as a detective novel. Most of us have to struggle quite a bit with it - but it is definitely worth it! 4 stars (Not a determinist: someone who pays attention to culture... ) - The main point in Weber's *The Protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism* is that the Protestant ethic helped to shape values favorable to the birth of capitalism. Despite that, the author isn't a cultural determinist because he takes care to point out that values help to shape an outcome, but don't produce it for certain. This book is quite interesting, and includes lots of interesting observations regarding Weber's main premise, despite not being overly long. For instance, the author says that due to the fact that Protestant ethic viewed hard work as a duty and looked down on ex...
Routledge :: Protestantism & Protestant Churches :: Ethics & moral philosophy :: Sociology of Religion :: Sociology :: Social Science :: Religious aspects :: Protestant work e :: The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (Routledge Classics) (Routledge Classics)

Pharmaceutical Ethics

Pharmaceutical Ethics ...
John Wiley - Sons- Ltd :: Science :: Pharmacy :: Pharmacology :: Medical-Pharmacy :: Medical-Pharmacology :: Medical-Ethics :: Medical :: Ethics :: Andrew Edgar :: Sam Salek :: :: Pharmaceutical Ethics

Bushido- The Way of the Samurai Square One Classics

4 stars (Good Book, worth owning) - I'm glad I bought this book, not only for it's historical significance, but also to be able to continuously refer back to it for refreshing. While I really enjoyed the first two chapters (also the longest), it started to get long-winded towards the end. This is still a very quick read and worth it's price. Two parts of the book bring up a sensitive subject (which I won't spoil) which surprisingly seemed to be a fairly common way of life for samurai. No, I'm not talking about ritual suicide, or some of their strong beliefs in honor and service, but instead something that 99% of us I'd wager never would associate with Samurai lifestyles. While unsettling, it's worthwhile learning the truths about their habits without over-glorification. Certainly a classic book which has the potential to enspire everyone to reach for their full potential. 3 stars (Hagakure for beginners) - As the title of my review suggests, I think this book makes a good introductory text for someone who doesn't have a lot of time to dedicate to studying bushido, someone who is just getting acclimated to the new way of thinking, or someone who is merely curious. The positives: -Each quotation is clearly titled and indexed, making it easy to find and reference specific quotes regarding specific topics. -Some translations have been changed to better accomodate the literal English-speaking reader. The negatives: -Short. It is only a small sampling of the wisdom of Hagakure. -While the modified translations will help English speakers avoid some of the pitfalls associated with reading from a different cultural context, they are also an incomplete and sometimes shallow understanding of the text. Again, as an introductory text this one is a good one. For a better, more complete translation of Hagakure, look for the one by William Scott Wilson. It is one of my favorite texts, though I will admit that when pressed for a quotation on short notice, I will still o...
Square One Publishers :: Philosophy :: Mind & Body :: Martial Arts & Self-Defense :: Japanese Philosophy :: Ethics & Moral Philosophy :: Eastern - General :: Early works to 1800 :: Bushido :: :: Bushido- The Way of the Samurai (Square One Classics)

Hagakure- The Book of the Samurai

3 stars (Interesting as a historical text) - As a philosophical book, or a book about a way of living, I think the Hagakure falls short. Yamamoto Tsunetomo often comes across as simply an irritable, grumpy old badger. During his service to his lord, he never participated in a battle (he lived in the Edo period) and he was not really the world's greatest retainer either. Therefore it is difficult to put any merit into his personal ideas and philosophies. If you are looking for a book about the Samurai spirit, or way of the warrior, I highly recommend Code of the Samurai (though the Cleary translation leaves a little to be desired), and the Wilson translation of the Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi. Let me give an example of my viewpoint. The basis of Tsunetomo's idealogy seems to be that the greatest achievement of a samurai is to die for his lord. He goes so far as to say "merit lies more in dying for one's master than in striking down the enemy." Granted, he lived in a time of peace, but as a warriors philosophy, this just doesn't ring true. It feels as though he took the Zen/Martial idea of losing all fear of death a little too far. Musashi's viewpoint in the Book of Five Rings seems far more correct. Musashi states that while a warrior should always be prepared for death and willing to die for one's lord, the essence of a warrior is actually in the striking down of an enemy. There is no other point to conflict than victory over your opponent. There is merit in the Hagakure. It is very interesting and useful as a historical text describing how warriors felt and acted in the Edo period of peace. It also contains anecdotes from Sengoku era samurai, which I found very interesting. Also, when Tsunetomo is not going on about rushing to one's death, he does manage a few gems of good advice. For instance, "When there is something to be said, it is better if it is said right away. If it is said later, it will sound like an excuse." If you are a samurai collec...
Kodansha International (JPN) :: Philosophy :: Martial Arts :: Japanese Philosophy :: Ethics & Moral Philosophy :: Eastern - General :: William Scott Wilson :: Yamamoto Tsunetomo :: :: Hagakure- The Book of the Samurai