Smith analyses the moral opportunities open to modern society following the weakening of religious observance. Some bumping to top edge of DJ and minor shelfwear. Interior and boards are pristine. Very good overall.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Columnist, novelist and critic Joan Smith's book Moralities: Sex, Money and Power in the 21st Century heralds the emergence of a new humanist morality. What we are in fact seeing, Smith argues, is "the ejection of Church and State from our private lives and the adoption instead of a secular code based on justice, equality and human rights". She argues that the change of focus from private to public morality suggested by the increasing tolerance in sexual matters has enabled us to concentrate on the more important political, economic and environmental issues that are the rightful concern of all; "The great battle of the 21st century will be between global capitalism and universal human rights". Smith is optimistic about these changes and believes that we have before us the opportunity to build a new kind of society, fully secular and opposed to all kinds of fundamentalism.
Smith is at her best when detailing the destructive foreign policies of Britain and the US--be it the overthrow of the democratic government of Chile in 1973, turning a blind eye to the human rights abuses of repressive regimes, collaborating with tyrants or simply relating the brutal facts about torture, arms trading, the environment and the increasing divide between rich and poor. The critique of global capitalism--the exploitation of vulnerable labour forces and irreplaceable natural resources--is balanced by hope for the democratising potential of the communications revolution where increased access to information and the capacity to share it with people struggling against repressive regimes has, in places, revitalised leftist politics.
As a committed humanist Smith takes it as read that "belief in a supernatural deity is not necessary to lead a moral life" and she is surely right to say that "religious convictions are a very poor predictor of how well someone is likely to behave." Where the analysis takes a dubious turn however is in her agreement with Nietzsche, that "the Christian resolution to find the world ugly and bad has made the world ugly and bad." The "religion" that Smith invokes in this book is indistinguishable from an aggressive fundamentalism and usually allied to reactionary forces while secular humanist morality is allied to progressive forces. One of the questionable implications of this rhetorical strategy is that religion is to blame for the moral shortcomings of British and US governments while a secular morality is responsible for the better performance of Scandinavian countries in dealing with child poverty for example. Optimistic in tone, well written, broad-ranging and provocative on issues like sex, marriage and monogamy, Smith's analytical weaknesses are more than compensated for by generally sound social and political history. Thus, despite the limitations of the "religion-bad, humanism-good" framework (a framework which fundamentalists simply reverse), Moralities is a welcome attempt to nudge humanist undertakings and commitments to the fore. --Larry Brown
What has happened to ethics in the modern world? New scandals erupt every day, involving American presidents and adultery, soap stars and sex, politicians and sleaze. As religious observance declines in the West, have we lost our moral compass? Or has tabloid culture obscured the fact that a new morality is emerging - secular, international and democratic. MORALITIES argues that our traditional anxieties about sex and private life have been replaced by new concerns: torture, arms trading, the environment and the unequal distribution of wealth. The great struggle of the 21st century will be between global capital and universal rights and a passionate belief in justice and equality is already transforming the way we live.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
£ 4.99
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Shipping:
£ 11.27
From Canada to U.S.A.
Seller: AwesomeBooks, Wallingford, United Kingdom
Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9780713994094
Quantity: 2 available
Seller: Goldstone Books, Llandybie, United Kingdom
hardcover. Condition: Good. All orders are dispatched within one working day from our UK warehouse. We've been selling books online since 2004! We have over 750,000 books in stock. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied. Seller Inventory # mon0006738822
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Eric James, Lewisporte, NL, Canada
Hard Cover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Edition. Hardcover with unclipped dust jacket, xxii + 202 pages. Seller Inventory # 020611
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Bahamut Media, Reading, United Kingdom
Condition: Very Good. Shipped within 24 hours from our UK warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. Spine still tight, in very good condition. Remember if you are not happy, you are covered by our 100% money back guarantee. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780713994094
Quantity: 2 available
Seller: BoundlessBookstore, Wallingford, United Kingdom
Hardcover. Condition: Good. Signed. Light wear to boards. Content is clean and bright. DJ with some edge wear and creasing. Seller Inventory # 9999-9990303163
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Anybook.com, Lincoln, United Kingdom
Condition: Good. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has hardback covers. With usual stamps and markings, In good all round condition. Dust jacket in good condition. Seller Inventory # 8955818
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: CloudDreamer, LONDON, United Kingdom
Hardcover. Condition: Like New. Dustjacket has very light edgewear and there is a remaindering mark on front endpaper. Otherwise as new. Normally dispatched same day by Royal Mail to the UK. Seller Inventory # N-SHELF1-SMI01-1l
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: AJ Scruffles, Leigh On Sea, ESSEX, United Kingdom
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Smith analyses the moral opportunities open to modern society following the weakening of religious observance. Some bumping to top edge of DJ and minor shelfwear. Interior and boards are pristine. Very good overall. Seller Inventory # 000325
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: HALCYON BOOKS, LONDON, United Kingdom
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. ALL ITEMS ARE DISPATCHED FROM THE UK WITHIN 48 HOURS ( BOOKS ORDERED OVER THE WEEKEND DISPATCHED ON MONDAY) ALL OVERSEAS ORDERS SENT BY TRACKABLE AIR MAIL. IF YOU ARE LOCATED OUTSIDE THE UK PLEASE ASK US FOR A POSTAGE QUOTE FOR MULTI VOLUME SETS BEFORE ORDERING. Seller Inventory # mon0000871402
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Elaine Beardsell, HOLMFIRTH, United Kingdom
1st edition. 8.5" x 5.5". xxii + 201[1]pp. Author dedication 'To Susan with lots of love from Joan' on title page. Fine hardback in fine protected dustwrapper. Seller Inventory # 7591
Quantity: 1 available