Ethics and moral philosophy Books

Book SynopsisFerrarese develops our thinking about the social conditions of caring for others, while arguing for an understanding of morality that is materialist and political always-already political.

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Book SynopsisRiccardo Caporali examines of all of Spinoza's works while addressing the challenges imposed by the historical circumstances at the time. Focusing on Spinoza's constant preoccupation with the relationship between metaphysics and politics, Caporali shows that it takes different forms in his various major works.Trade Review"Through an accurate analysis of Spinoza's work, from Part I of Ethics to the last line of the Political Treatise, Caporali displays the political thought of the author in all its depth and novelty. Rarely, if ever, has such a controversial topic been presented with this much clarity and coherence." -Diogo Pires Aur lio, New University of Lisbon

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Book SynopsisBy radically re-reading the 'Theological Political Treatise', Dimitris Vardoulakis argues that Spinoza's Epicurean influence has profound implications for his conception of politics and ontology. This reconsideration of Spinoza's political project, set within a historical context, lays the ground for an alternative genealogy of materialism.

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Book SynopsisBy radically re-reading the 'Theological Political Treatise', Dimitris Vardoulakis argues that Spinoza's Epicurean influence has profound implications for his conception of politics and ontology. This reconsideration of Spinoza's political project, set within a historical context, lays the ground for an alternative genealogy of materialism.

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Book SynopsisAndrew Jampol-Petzinger pursues Gilles Deleuze's significantly under-discussed interpretation of Soren Kierkegaard. He presents a view of ethics and selfhood that responds to theories of moral judgment and selfhood based on stable, substance-orientated forms of identity.

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Book SynopsisWhat is real? How can we know what is real? How might we live authentically? These are the three fundamental questions about metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. John Macready guides you through these questions by reading three pairs of philosophers and texts: Plato and Descartes; Hume and Kant, and Nietzsche and Arendt.

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Book SynopsisWhat is real? How can we know what is real? How might we live authentically? These are the three fundamental questions about metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. John Macready guides you through these questions by reading three pairs of philosophers and texts: Plato and Descartes; Hume and Kant, and Nietzsche and Arendt.

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Book SynopsisAn ethical assessment of violent drone use considering military ethics, law enforcement ethics, moral injury and ethical human-machine interactionTrade Review"Christian Enemark has provided a comprehensive, empirically informed and distinctive set of analyses of the concepts and arguments deployed in the debates on the morality of drone violence in war and in other settings. Moralities of Drone Violence is an important, yet very readable, contribution to the scholarly literature." -Seumas Miller, Charles Sturt University

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Book SynopsisIn this deeply personal book, the last one she wrote before her death in 2018, Deborah Bird Rose explores the shimmer of life - the iridescent pulse of beauty and power, the processes of transition and transformation - that flows across and between generations, grounded in her work with flying foxes in Australia.

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Book SynopsisAs the obituary writer in a spectacularly beautiful but often dangerous spit of land in Alaska, Heather Lende knows something about last words and lives well lived. Now she’s distilled what she’s learned about how to live a more exhilarating and meaningful life into three words: find the good. It’s that simple--and that hard. Quirky and profound, individual and universal, Find the Good offers up short chapters that help us unlearn the habit--and it is a habit--of seeing only the negatives. Lende reminds us that we can choose to see any event--starting a new job or being laid off from an old one, getting married or getting divorced--as an opportunity to find the good. As she says, “We are all writing our own obituary every day by how we live. The best news is that there’s still time for additions and revisions before it goes to press.” Ever since Algonquin published her first book, the New York Times bestseller If You Lived Here, I’d Know Your Name, Heather Lende has been praised for her storytelling talent and her plainspoken wisdom. The Los Angeles Times called her “part Annie Dillard, part Anne Lamott,” and that comparison has never been more apt as she gives us a fresh, positive perspective from which to view our relationships, our obligations, our priorities, our community, and our world. An antidote to the cynicism and self-centeredness that we are bombarded with every day in the news, in our politics, and even at times in ourselves, Find the Good helps us rediscover what’s right with the world. “Heather Lende’s small town is populated with big hearts--she finds them on the beach, walking her granddaughters, in the stories of ordinary peoples’ lives, and knits them into unforgettable tales. Find the Good is a treasure.” —Jo-Ann Mapson, author of Owen’s Daughter “Find the Good is excellent company in unsteady times . . . Heather Lende is the kind of person you want to sit across the kitchen table from on a rainy afternoon with a bottomless cup of tea. When things go wrong, when things go right, her quiet, commonsense wisdom, self-examining frankness, and good-natured humor offer a chance to reset, renew, rebalance.” —Pam Houston, author of Contents May Have Shifted “With gentle humor and empathy [Lende] introduces a number of people who provide examples of how to live well . . . [Find the Good] is simple yet profound.” —Booklist “In this cynical world, Find the Good is a tonic, a literary wellspring, which will continue to run, and nurture, even in times of drought. What a brave and beautiful thing Heather Lende has made with this book.” —John Straley, Shamus Award winner and former writer laureate of Alaska “Heather Lende is a terrific writer and terrific company: intimate, authentic, and as quirky as any of her subjects.” —Marilyn Johnson, author of The Dead Beat

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Book SynopsisAn advocate of Confucian morality, Mencius exhorted ruling through virtue during the Warring States, when sundry ideas of effectual governance prospered. Like Confucius had done two centuries before him, Mencius wandered from state to state, lobbying sovereigns. Mencian virtue politics has been pivotal to political thinking in China, though most appealing, it may be argued, to scholars. From Mencius, Mingyuan Hu selects and translates four dialogues exemplary of this thinking. This book is part of the Erstwhile Series.

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Book SynopsisThis book offers a lens grounded in traditional Christian values. In a world focused on individualism, Frances Ward looks at the value of acting based on virtues like truthfulness, and for their own good, to find happiness as a result of becoming full of character.Trade ReviewThe text will stimulate the reader into thinking differently about the nature of character and what shapes or mis-shapes it. It will invite the reader into a wider horizon of understanding about human flourishing, and deserves to be engaged with seriously, so that hearts and minds can explore in depth a theology of education that commits itself to changed practice. This book is an important contribution to what might be able to be released if we were to look at our journey of learning from a different perspective, using a different map and guide. Read this book and prepare for your world to look just a little bit different as a result of the journey on which this skilled writer and reflector will take you. -- James Woodward, Sarum College * Modern Believing *Table of ContentsPreface. Introduction. 1. Thankfulness. 2. Self-forgetfulness. 3. Character Education. 4. Carefulness. 5. Playfulness. 6. Resourcefulness. 7. The Digital Age. 8. Thoughtfulness. 9. Fruitfulness. 10. Fullness. 11. Truthfulness. 12. Hopefulness. 13. Fulfillment. Conclusion. Index.

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Book SynopsisMeet Maya. Maya always tries to be polite, and to remember to say 'thank you' but she wants to learn what it means to be truly grateful. Should she be grateful to her teachers for their hard work, even though they're only doing their job? Does she need to say thank you for the gifts she doesn't really like - like the pink scarf Nani gave her last birthday? And when Laura gives her some earrings but later asks to copy her history project in return, should Maya be grateful and give her the thank you letter she has written?This illustrated book is an ideal conversation starter for children aged 7+, helping them to understand what gratitude means, recognise when it is appropriate, and develop their own ability to be genuinely grateful.Table of ContentsN/A

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Book SynopsisThis volume in the St Andrews series contains a collection of essays from leading authors regarding the work of Elizabeth Anscombe, in particular issues in mind and metaphysics, and can be considered a partner work to 2016''s The Moral Philosophy of Elizabeth Anscombe (also published by Imprint Academic Ltd.).

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Book SynopsisAccording to the latest figures, the number of vegans in the UK has more than quadrupled since 2014, now representing over 1 per cent of the total population. With the rise in plant-based foods and cruelty-free products showing no sign of stopping, Think Like a Vegan explores how vegan ethics can be applied to every area of our daily lives.We all want to live more healthily and ethically, and this book is certainly not just for vegans. It’s for anyone interested in veganism, its ideals and what even non-vegans can learn from its practice. Through a personal and often irreverent lens, the authors explore a variety of contemporary topics related to animal use: from the basics of vegan logic to politics, economics, love and other aspects of being human, each chapter draws you into a thought-provoking conversation about your daily ethical decisions. Why should we adopt animals? What’s the problem with organic meat? What are the economics of plant-based foods? What about honey? What is the relationship between veganism and feminism? What is vegansexualism? Trade Review'A brilliant book, which both challenges and inspires thoughts on ethics and the environment, and offers fresh, new thinking on why veganism is not just a diet but a potent social act.' – Seth Tibbott, Chair and Founder of famously vegan brand Tofurky and author of In Search of the Wild Tofurky: How a Business Misfit Pioneered Plant-Based Foods Before They Were Cool

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Book SynopsisThe Jungian concept of archetypes is of immense value for critically distinguishing what is potentially of universal practical value in religious and other cultural traditions, and separating this from the dogmatic elements. However, Jung encumbered the concept of archetypes with debatable constructions like the 'collective unconscious' that are unnecessary for understanding their practical function. This book puts forward a far-reaching new theory of archetypes that is functional without being reductive. At the centre of this is the idea that archetypes are adaptations to help us maintain inspiration over time. Humans are such distractable beings that they need constant reminders to maintain integration with their most sustainable intentions: reminders using the profound power of symbol linked to embodied experience. This multi-disciplinary book weaves together religious studies, ethical philosophy, the psychology of bias, the neuroscience of brain lateralisation, the linguistics of embodied meaning, the feedback loops of systems theory, with a lifetime's experience of Buddhist practice and appreciation of symbolism in the arts: all with the aim of producing a fresh understanding of the role of archetypes in religion and beyond, that can also be directly applied in practice.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. What is an Archetype? 2. The Projection of Archetypes 3. The Integration of Archetypes 4. Categorization of Archetypes 5. Archetypes in Religious Traditions 6. Archetypal Function in 'Secular' Concepts Conclusion

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Book SynopsisThe Jungian concept of archetypes is of immense value for critically distinguishing what is potentially of universal practical value in religious and other cultural traditions, and separating this from the dogmatic elements. However, Jung encumbered the concept of archetypes with debatable constructions like the 'collective unconscious' that are unnecessary for understanding their practical function. This book puts forward a far-reaching new theory of archetypes that is functional without being reductive. At the centre of this is the idea that archetypes are adaptations to help us maintain inspiration over time. Humans are such distractable beings that they need constant reminders to maintain integration with their most sustainable intentions: reminders using the profound power of symbol linked to embodied experience. This multi-disciplinary book weaves together religious studies, ethical philosophy, the psychology of bias, the neuroscience of brain lateralisation, the linguistics of embodied meaning, the feedback loops of systems theory, with a lifetime's experience of Buddhist practice and appreciation of symbolism in the arts: all with the aim of producing a fresh understanding of the role of archetypes in religion and beyond, that can also be directly applied in practice.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. What is an Archetype? 2. The Projection of Archetypes 3. The Integration of Archetypes 4. Categorization of Archetypes 5. Archetypes in Religious Traditions 6. Archetypal Function in 'Secular' Concepts Conclusion

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Book SynopsisIn The Keys to Kindness Claudia Hammond takes us on an eye-opening tour of kindness: what constitutes kindness (it's not what you think), effective strategies to build more of it into our lives and the benefits of being kind. She draws on the latest research from psychology and neuroscience, and her work in collaboration with the University of Sussex and the BBC, including the largest global survey ever undertaken into attitudes to kindness. The book is structured around the seven keys of kindness, including: There is more kindness in the world that you might think Being kind makes you feel good and that's OK Kind people can be winners Remember to be kind to yourself You are kinder than you think, but we could all be kinder still - with enormous benefits for our personal mental health and wellbeing. The Keys to Kindness sets out a prescription for a kinder life that you can adapt to your own circumstances, and explains how to use this guidance for ourselves, others and the world.Trade ReviewClaudia Hammond's books are a solace in troubled times -- Fearne Cotton[Hammond] doesn't want to make kindness cool, she simply wants to prove - by hook, crook, her book and hard data - its value to society * * Sunday Times * *Claudia Hammond has written a handbook on the benefits and keys to kindness [ . . . ] formed by a new, unique study called The Kindness Test, run by her colleagues at the University of Sussex, and launched on the BBC. If you've never thought about what kindness means, the results will be as fascinating as they are thought-provoking . . . Full of common sense, gentle wisdom and altruism * * Daily Mail * *From the state of global politics to the climate crisis, the world feels more divided than ever. But The Keys to Kindness stands up in the face of this overwhelming issue - and provides us with the tools to address it . . . If one thing's for sure, Hammond's book is a firm reminder of how important kindness really is - and why being kinder to yourself, others and the world around you is valuable for everyone * * Stylist * *Praise for The Art of Rest: Fascinating, entertaining and lucidly written . . . If we accept that reading is the most restful activity . . . The Art of Rest ought to be equivalent to a scientific siesta. The only trouble is that this outstanding book is far too stimulating to be restful * * Observer * *Claudia Hammond's superb book reminds us of a truth that's too often forgotten: that rest isn't just an indulgence, but an essential part of a life lived well -- DR RANGAN CHATTERJEE * * bestselling author of The 4 Pillar Plan * *At a time when our waking lives appear to be more frantic and distracted than ever before, switching off has never been more of a challenge. The Art of Rest equips us with fresh research and information on how to rest more, and rest better, to get the most out of life. Reading it is a rest itself -- MATT HAIGA soothing balm for a frazzled generation -- ADAM RUTHERFORD * * author of A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived * *Not only is The Art of Rest an enjoyable read, touching on scientific evidence in a light, accessible manner, it delivers on its promise too . . . Reading, according to Rest Test participants, is one of the best ways to rest. So if you want to change your 24/7 lifestyle, opening The Art of Rest may well be a good start * * New Scientist * *Hammond valiantly unearths some great nuggets . . . quirky humour and sunny enthusiasm kept me reading * * Sunday Times * *

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Book SynopsisIn A Child Sees God, Howard Worsley explores how we can all learn from a child's perspective of the world and shows how a child's eye view of the Bible reveals many interesting ideas about ethics and morality, and provides new ways of understanding these ancient stories.By asking families to read Bible stories to their children and discuss these stories with them, recording the ensuing conversations, Howard Worsley offers not only fresh insights into the meaning and significance of these stories but also reflections on how adults can use the Biblical text in the company of children at different stages of development. Following the theory that all stories ever written fall into one of seven categories, this book shows that the themes of the Bible are no different, dividing stories into sections containing texts of wonder, adventure and leadership, terror, justice and judgement, comfort and hope, comedy, and mercy and forgiveness.This fresh look at the Bible through the eyes of children will be a fascinating read for parents, teachers, ministers, and anyone with an interest in child spirituality or ethics.Trade ReviewEver wondered what your child or children are thinking about when you read the bible together? Well, if you are looking for a book that illustrates the freshness with which children can still respond to the Bible, and its relevance to life today, then A Child Sees God by Rev Dr. Howard Worsley, is that kind of training manual. It certainly provided an interesting insight into how children of varying ages, still respond to the Bible. -- TheGoodBookStall.org.ukHoward Worsley is a champion for children. He wants their voice to be heard, and for adults to fully appreciate the wisdom they have to offer. This book is a vehicle for achieving those aims, by exploring children's views and reflections about a selection of Bible stories... Sandwiched in between an introduction and a final chapter considering the implications of the findings, the core of the book is neatly divided into seven chapters according to the type of story discussed int them... One of the delights of this book is to see how children not only interpret the stories but how they make associations to their own worlds in order to make meaning... Nevertheless I suggest that all who are interested in listening to children with regards to how they make meaning with refernce to religion, scripture and spirituality will find this book of value, not only those living or working within the Christian tradition. -- Journal of Religious EducationChildren see what grown-ups miss. That is one reason why we should go on telling Bible stories to them. Dr Worsley's bold claim, in this fascinating and ground-breaking study, is that the church needs "the original vision of childhood" to renew its understanding of the Biblical texts. Children can show us what the Bible has to say to us all. They can also make us ask the right questions. This book is essential reading for any who have any lingering doubts about whether the Bible can be a children's book too. -- Church TimesTable of ContentsIntroduction. 1. Texts of Wonder. 2. Texts of Adventure and Leadership. 3. Texts of Terror. 4. Texts of Justice and Judgement. 5. Texts of Comfort and Hope. 6. Texts of Comedy. 7. Texts of Mercy and Forgiveness. 8. Implications for all Storytellers with Children. Conclusion. Appendix 1: Authentic Texts for Children. Appendix 2: Seven Basic Plots Selected. Bibliography. Further Reading.

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Book SynopsisExploring concepts of ageing, personhood, capacity, liberty, best interests and the nature and ethics of palliative care, this book will help those in the caring professions to understand and engage with the thoughts and arguments underpinning the experience of dementia and dementia care. Dementia is associated with ageing: what is the significance of this? People speak about person-centred care, but what is personhood and how can it be maintained? What is capacity, and how is it linked with the way a person with dementia is cared for as a human being? How should we think about the law in relation to the care of older people? Is palliative care the right approach to dementia, and if so what are the consequences of this view? What role can the arts play in ensuring quality of life for people with dementia? In answering such questions, Julian Hughes brings our attention back to the philosophical and ethical underpinnings of dementia care, shedding new light on the significance and implications for those in the caring professions, academics and researchers, and those living with dementia and their families.Trade ReviewIn this book, Julian Hughes makes a powerful and compelling case for a revolution in the treatment of people with dementia. He underscores the need to summon immediately the personal and political will to engage people with dementia as people who respond positively to the solicitude and open engagement provided by those deemed healthy. Viewing dementia and ageing in the broad scope of human life, yet without romanticising illness, Hughes challenges professional and lay carers to open their minds and hearts to create what Buber called, “I-Thou” relationships with people diagnosed with dementia, so as to improve the lives of all concerned. He does this on philosophically, ethically, sophisticated grounds as a philosopher, on medically sophisticated grounds as an old age psychiatrist, and on aesthetically sophisticated grounds as a humane, spiritually alive human being. This book will benefit many audiences, including, perhaps most importantly, people with dementia. -- Steven R. Sabat, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at Georgetown University and author of The Experience of Alzheimer's Disease: Life Through a Tangled VeilJulian Hughes uses a rich combination of science, law, history, ethics and philosophy to illustrate the complex nature of dementia and how we view it. Through a series of fascinating case studies illustrating real life complex scenarios, and with superb clarity of writing, he gently challenges our current approaches to people with dementia – above all emphasising the need to see through the narrow illness to the broader person within. An excellent and stimulating book. -- John T. O'Brien, DM, F Med Sci, Foundation Professor of Old Age Psychiatry, University of CambridgeHow We Think About Dementia is a book directed at professionals or people who are familiar with research and medical terminology... Hughes identifies ethical concerns through the use of case studies. Within these case studies, circumstances are shared that bring to light challenges that may be encountered by caregivers... Services, ethical considerations, methods and barriers to care are covered well in the book from a professional perspective... the majority of the book provides a sense of direction for professionals (medical doctors, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, occupational therapists, etcetera) in caring for a patient with dementia. -- Lynne Trevisan, Assistant Professor, College of Health, Human Services, and Sciences, Ashford University * metapsychology online reviews *Table of ContentsPreface. Introduction. Part I: Ageing. 1. Our Changing Expectations of Life: What Do We Really Want? 2. Research, Ageing and Dementia. Part II: Personhood. 3. Memory: Inner or Outer? 4. I am still the same person. 5. The Body in Dementia. Part III: Capacity and Incapacity. 6. 'Capacity': What is it and so what? 7. Capacity Legislation in Practice: Balancing Personal and Polis. 8. Incapacity and Mental Disorder. Part IV: Palliative and Supportive Care. 9. Beyond Hypercognitivism. 10. Understanding the Language of Distress. 11. Ethics, Patterns, Causes and Pathways: In Pursuit of Good Palliative Care. 12. Intentions and Best Interests: Dying and Killing. Part V: Arts. 13. The Art and Practice of Memory and Forgetting co-authored with Ashley McCormick, artist, curator and educator. 14. In Praise of 'Negative Capability': Keats and Killick. Conclusion: Care – Solicitude and Solidarity. References and Further Reading. Index.

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Book SynopsisForgiveness has often viewed as a religious obligation but is increasingly being advocated as a means of healing, release and promoting wellbeing. Forgiveness is variously viewed as a duty, virtue or cure, but when it comes to practising forgiveness in real life we find it is always caught up in the complexity of the situation. This book shines a light on how we tend to think about forgiveness in practice, including examples from social work, family therapy, chaplaincy and criminal justice. The book contains many different perspectives on how we think about forgiveness, including overviews of four major religions and reflections from those working in the healing professions. Without advocating a particular approach this book raises important questions around self-forgiveness and forgiving institutions and encourages the reader to think again about forgiveness and how it impacts, challenges and transforms relationships.Trade ReviewThis book is close to my heart. It holds the scarcely remembered practice of forgiveness gently, with both hands, sifting its limits and potential, and rebalancing its nuanced place in the world of traumatic, unresolved loss. It brings to bear both the scholarly and the experiential, the religious and the secular, on its cumulative journey. It investigates complexity, salvaging space for narratives and dialogues of meaning and recovery, inspiring us to remember the way from head to heart. -- Marian Partington, story teller and speaker for the Forgiveness Project and author of If You Sit Very StillThis is a rich collection of reflections on the desirability (or otherwise) of forgiveness in a wide range of contexts, from prisons through medical practice to the pastoral work of clergy. Although the various contributors are committed to distinct - and sometimes inconsistent - understandings of what forgiveness means, there are several recurring themes, such as the complex relationships between forgiving, being forgiven and self-forgiveness, and the differences between forgiving individuals and forgiving institutions. Amongst the strengths of the collection is the wide variety of real-life examples discussed, allowing the reader to test their general understanding of forgiveness against such contexts as interpersonal abuse, addiction, murder and the bombing of cities. This makes for a challenging - and sometimes moving - read. -- Professor John Lippitt, University of Hertfordshire and Deakin UniversityForgiveness in Practice is a momentous achievement. It reveals the anatomy of forgiveness not by indulging in abstract theorising, but instead by drawing on practitioners' direct experiences with individuals exploring, embracing or struggling with forgiveness. The numerous chapters demonstrate the pervasive nature of forgiveness intersecting with our lives virtually from cradle to the grave. You will not find any self-righteousness in this book, but you will find ample courage to tackle head-on the various taboos surrounding this big topic. This book will change the way we talk and do forgiveness. -- Dr Masi Noor, Keele School of PsychologyTable of ContentsIntroduction. Stephen Hance, Dean of Derby. 1. Reflections on Forgiveness: Some Jewish Perspectives. Howard Cooper, Director of Spiritual Development, Finchley Reform Synagogue. 2. Forgiveness and Christianity. Anthony Bash, Honorary Professor, Department of Theology and Religion, Durham University. 3. Forgiveness in Islam: From Prophetic Practice to Divine Principle. Reza Shah-Kazemi, Senior Research Associate, Institute of Ismaili Studies, London. 4. Forgiveness in the Buddhist Tradition. Vajragupta, Member of the Triratna Buddhist Community. 5. Out of the Depths: Offenders and Forgiveness. Gwen Adshead, Forensic Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist, and Jesse Butler Meadows, Doctor, Hampshire. 6. Uses and Abuses of Self-Forgiveness. Stephen Cherry, Dean of King's College, Cambridge. 7. On Forgiveness and Medical Harm. Deborah Bowman, Professor, Bioethics & Clinical Ethics, St. George's, University of London. 8. Restorative Justice and Forgiveness. Marian Liebmann, Mediation Trainer, Art Therapist and Supervisor. 9. Understanding Revenge: An Invitation to Let Go. Robin Shohet, Psychotherapist and Supervisor. 10. A Pastor Looks at Forgiveness. Stephen Hance, Dean of Derby. 11. The Role of Forgiveness After Interpersonal Abuse. Christiane Sanderson, Senior Lecturer, Psychology, University of Roehampton. 12. Families, Forgiving and Withholding Forgiveness. Honor Rhodes, Director of Strategic Development, Tavistock Relationships. 13. Birth Parents, Adoption, Identity and Forgiveness. Amanda Boorman. 14. Forgiveness and End of Life. Steve Nolan, Chaplain, Princess Alice Hospice, Esher. 15. Face to Face with Endless Mercy (How a Christian Community Forgives). Richard Carter, Associate Vicar for Mission, St Martin-in-the-Fields. 16. Forgiveness, the Individual and the Conflict Society. Graham Spencer, Reader in Social and Political Conflict, University of Portsmouth, and Lord Alderdice, Director of the Centre for the Resolution of Intractable Conflict, Oxford University. 17. Bearing Witness: How the RESTORE Programme Helps Prisoners Change the Narrative of Their Lives. Marina Cantacuzino, Founder, The Forgiveness Project. 18. Addiction and Forgiveness. Chris Cook, Professor of Spirituality, Theology & Health, Department of Theology & Religion, Durham University, and Wendy Dossett, Senior Lecturer, Religious Studies, University of Chester. Concluding Thoughts. Liz Gulliford, Research Fellow, Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, School of Education, University of Birmingham. About the Contributors.

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Book SynopsisFish feel pain is the battle cry of animal rights activists who would love to see a ban on recreational fishing and all use of fish by humans. Their claim is rooted in research purporting to demonstrate beyond doubt that fish and aquatic invertebrates are capable of experiencing pain. The fish feel pain claim has gained traction over the last 20 years, and in many parts of the worldlegislation now recognises fish as sentient' beings, with some potentially dire and far-reaching consequences for the 3 billion people worldwide whose livelihoods depend on fish and fishing. This book puts the widely accepted dogma under the scientific, social and philosophical microscope.And its findings challenge the whole premise that fish feel pain.

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Book SynopsisThe author's royalties from this book are being donated to Saint Frances Hospice, a charity that cares for people with palliative and end of life care needs. The kindness project is full of practical, actionable ideas on how you can make the world a kinder place one small step at a time, and in turn improve your own personal wellbeing. We'll explore how you can be kind every single day we'll look at how to be kind whilst at home and at work, and examine, importantly, how to be kinder to ourselves. From the co-host of the Kindness Project Podcast, Chris Daems, comes a book about hope, about faith in his fellow humans and why finding small incremental ways to be kind every single day can help us become happier and healthier. Learning from some of the kindest people on our planet, Chris explains how we all benefit from being a little kinder and whilst looking for kindness in others found his own road to being a little bit kinder himself. Further details "In The Kindness Project, Chris Daems gifts readers a brazenly honest and highly engaging account of his own quest to be kinder in life. -Lauren Janus "This is a book that makes you reflect on your own character and relationships, what it means to be kind to yourself and others. A warm, enjoyable, inspirational read, packed full of wisdom and actionable ideas." -KeithBoyesTrade Review"This wonderful book has captured what it really means to be kind, and just how easy it is. It picks up and expands on some simple but truthful themes, and you can feel the pages radiating with the same infectious smile and sense of fun that makes The Kindness Project podcast so good. Well done Chris!" David Forsdyke, Knight Frank; "During reading this book I walked past a homeless man - 'any spare change' to which I said sorry no and walked on, then one of Chris' similar stories popped into my head. I went back and gave him the brownie I'd been saving. This is a book that makes you reflect on your own character and relationships, what it means to be kind to yourself and others. A warm, enjoyable, inspirational read, packed full of wisdom and actionable ideas. Chris is kinder than he knows, and it's a timely reminder for us all to be kind to ourselves and others. Once you start on the kindness journey, it's infectious!" Keith Boyes, Spentwell; "In The Kindness Project, Chris Daems gifts readers a brazenly honest and highly engaging account of his own quest to be kinder in life, with off-the-shelf lessons for the rest of us. In reading The Kindness Project, you'll be reminded of the joy that comes not only from simply being kinder, but in finding connection with another human being... something the last few years has shown us is critical to our own humanity." Lauren Janus, Phila Engaged Giving; "Overall I completely agree with the points raised in the book. I personally would struggle with some of the things suggested but the I fully support the basic premise in that the world would be a better place if we were all a little kinder. "I'm also very interested in the concept of ethical investing. Something I'm going to discuss with Chris at our next meeting. "As for abseiling or jumping out of planes. Not for me! "Overall a short and concise review of how being kinder can make the world a better place, backed up by some interesting facts and science." Mike Corder; "For me, there are two things that need to impact me to make me want to immerse myself in reading a book - commonality and community. How does this resonate with me and how does this apply to me? Chris' storytelling instantly resonated with me and his insights around the subject of kindness was delivered in a non-fluffy, 'real' way that most people avoid. A must read!" Nick Elston; "I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Kindness Project and was sad for it to end. Thanks to Daems for sharing the collective wisdom gathered from years of podcasts and lessons about kindness and insights from his own life delivered with such honesty, heart and humour. This is a handbook and collection of notes from Daems' personal journey full of discovery, inspiration and nostalgia. It feels like Daems is in the room with you, sharing stories about his childhood, family, professional life and the many high, lows and laughter along the way. Read this book to learn about the science and benefits of kindness, and find practical ways to be kinder to yourself, others and even the planet." Patrick Luong, GoodGym; "The really inspiring and practical guide that we all need to bring a bit more happiness into our lives and the lives of others in these trying times. A funny, honest and v informative read." Sally McEnallay, Marketing Director, Greenkit; "This is not a self-help book but you will help yourself by reading this book immediately! A lovely read that will fill you with kindness!" Sam Chilton-Cox, Law Choice "I read it with interest and enthusiasm. Having had the pleasure of participating in The Kindness Project podcasts and with my work in health, mental health and overseas- this writing and the story speaks to our wellbeing, as humanity, on so many levels. Thank you for sharing your story with humour and accessibility." Vasanti Hirani, Daal Bhaat Panni

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Book SynopsisBonhoeffer’s New Beginning investigates the ethics of making new beginnings after devastating moral rupture. The work argues that new beginnings must be made in order to sustain the fundamental convictions that it is good to exist and that life in the world with others should be loved without exclusion. Bonhoeffer’s ethics of new beginning is set in conversation with the thought of four moral philosophers, Friedrich Nietzsche, Hannah Arendt, Jonathan Glover, and Jonathan Lear. DeCort argues that Bonhoeffer’s ethics of new beginning opens and energizes a more promising, world-affirming moral vision with radical hope for new beginnings vis-à-vis the perceived absence of God in the face of devastation. Trade ReviewIn mid-century Europe, totalitarians on both the left and the right sought to remake humanity, society, politics, morality, geography, and population. The scope of their hubris was astonishing, as was the body count they left behind. To accomplish their idolatrous, disastrous goals, everything was permissible. In his important new book, Andrew DeCort demonstrates that Dietrich Bonhoeffer responded theologically in Nazi Germany to this mania for remaking the world through projects of political salvation at the point of a gun. DeCort shows that Bonhoeffer's biblical theology of creation, Christ, and resurrection precluded any human project to serve as our own creators and saviors by engineering a new beginning in human life. Instead, Christians at least, know (or should know) that we are called to respond to God's creative and reconciling action, and that we must do so in love of God and others. This is a groundbreaking work, ranging exhaustively over the Bonhoeffer corpus and the secondary literature. It reveals a new dimension of Bonhoeffer's thought, and demonstrates once again that Bonhoeffer was always responding to the dangerous political and moral ideas around him with a disciplined theological and ethical response -- a response that took him to his death. Highly recommended! -- David P. Gushee, Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics, Mercer UniversityHere we have a fresh – indeed groundbreaking – reading of Bonhoeffer’s entire corpus. As he reconstructs Bonhoeffer’s theological ethics of new beginnings, DeCort shows how Bonhoeffer’s final words, “This is for me the end, but also the beginning,” encapsulates a consistent, central theme unifying his life and work: the nature and practice of new beginnings during and after social, political, and moral devastation. This book is rigorously researched, theologically and philosophically astute, and spiritually and practically relevant. In short, it is learned and wise. -- Jennifer M. McBride, McCormick Theological SeminaryBonhoeffer’s New Beginning addresses one of the deepest challenges of Christian life: how to keep and live our faith in a world of deep suffering and moral trauma, a world that for many people has shattered the notion that faith in God is even possible. After exploring this question through the work of four major philosophers, Andrew DeCort unpacks how Bonhoeffer’s ethical writings offer such a “new beginning,” opening the way for “a radically inclusive, universal vision of moral consciousness." DeCort makes a convincing case that this search for such new beginnings is an undercurrent throughout Bonhoeffer’s work. This is a very fine book: a creative, eloquent, and often moving study of Bonhoeffer’s theology and its continuing relevance. -- Victoria J. Barnett, General Editor, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works English EditionAndrew DeCort’s Bonhoeffer’s New Beginning takes on the profound and utterly inescapable problem of the “new beginning,” the "beginning again," in the wake of devastation and catastrophe, and suggests that, and then shows how, Bonhoeffer engages in Christian theology in light of this problem. This book is a terrific vision, in my mind especially illuminating on some of the Christocentric elements in Bonhoeffer’s work, and drawing on work in philosophy and political theory as well as Christian theology; it casts new light on our predicaments and the ways that Bonhoeffer may help us identify, understand, and confront them. -- Charles T. Mathewes, University of VirginiaDeCort’s treatment of Bonhoeffer is creative. This study of Bonhoeffer, which includes analysis of other major figures like Friedrich Nietzsche and Hannah Arendt, takes an innovative turn to look at the concept of an ethics of beginning again. -- Reggie L. Williams, McCormick Theological SeminaryTable of ContentsBeginning Introduction – Our Over-All Take on Human Life: The Problem of Morality and the Ethics of New Beginning Chapter 1 – The Trial: Universal Entry and The Problem of Morality Chapter 2 – Four Options: The Problem of Morality and the Ethics of New Beginning in Nietzsche, Arendt, Glover, and Lear Chapter 3 – “A Rift Irreparable Through Human Initiative”: Devastation and the Human (In)Capacity to Make a New Beginning in Bonhoeffer’s Thought Chapter 4 – “Only with God Is There A New Way, A New Beginning”: Justification and Guidance For New Beginning In Bonhoeffer’s Thought Chapter 5 – “The Dawning of The New World, The New Order”: Practices of New Beginning In Bonhoeffer’s Thought Conclusion – After the Beginning: The Problem of Morality, Divine Absence, and the Ethics of New Beginning after Devastation Beginning Anew Appendix – Bonhoeffer’s Last Words: A Personal Testament and Theological Summary?

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Book SynopsisChapter 1. Einleitung des Herausgebers.- Chapter 2. Vom Altertum bis zur Neuzeit.- Chapter 3. Die neuere Zeit.- Chapter 4. Die Werttheorie der Aufklärungszeit.- Chapter 5. Die neuere englische Werttheorie.- Chapter 6. Die deutsche Philosophie von Kant bis Brentano.- Chapter 7. Englische Parallelerscheinungen.- Chapter 8. Die von Brentano ausgehenden Richtungen.- Chapter 9. Die an Lotze anknüpfenden Werttheorien.- Chapter 10. Den vorigen mehr oder minder verwandte Werttheoretiker.- Chapter 11. Mystische Sonderstandpunkte.- Chapter 12. Die werttheoretischen Lehren der Experimentalpsychologen.- Chapter 13. Die Lehre von den Begriffen des Nutzens.- Chapter 14. Die Thesis der heutigen Neuplatoniker.- Chapter 15. Die Antithesis der heutigen Relativisten.- Chapter 16. Wege zur Synthesis.- Chapter 17. Weitere Schritte zur Synthesis.

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Book SynopsisChapter 1. Over murky waters.- Chapter 2. Nietzsche and tragedy.- Chapter 3. Democracy notwithstanding Nietzsche.- Chapter 4. Nietzsche and religion.- Chapter 5. Time to decide.- Chapter 6. Augustine’s theology of grace.- Chapter 7. Kierkegaard and the doctrine of empathy.- Chapter 8. Unamuno’s Tragic Quichottism.- Chapter 9 . Beyond good and evil.- Chapter 10. Tragedy, love and courage in Tillich.- Chapter 11. Wisdom, fortitude and justice.- Chapter 12. Before the Law. Kafka’s poetics of inwardness.- Chapter 13. The questionable soul of democratic man.- Chapter 14. Consolation and tragedy.- Chapter 15. In Conclusion. Tragedy and repetition.

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Book SynopsisChapter 1. A Brief Overview.- Chapter 2. A Magnificent and Irresistible Decoy: The Pursuit of Happiness.- Chapter 3. Why Can't We Stop Consuming?.- Chapter 4. The economy as a destructive force on the planet.- Chapter 5. The Strength of the Group and the Weakness of the Individual: Insights from Anthropology and Evolutionary Psychology.- Chapter 6. The Boredom and Horror of Meaninglessness: The Ultimate Obstacle.- Chapter 7.The Pursuit of Personal Interest and the Tragedy of the Commons: The Strength of the System.- Chapter 8. But What Kind of Ecology Are We Talking About?.- Chapter 9. The human trajectory: as extraordinary as it is despairing but contingent.- Chapter 10. What room for manoeuver?.- Chapter 11. Beyond reason, the beauty of the world.

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Book SynopsisIm ersten Teil werden die Anfänge und Verzweigungen des Bösen dargestellt. Das Böse beschreibt schreckliche Taten und Unterlassungen und verweist auf eine Symbolik des Unreinen, Dunklen und Inferioren und auf die harten Realitäten von Knappheit und Konkurrenz; es spiegelt sich in Lasterkatalogen und in Ausdrucksformen des Neids, der Grausamkeit, des Hasses, der Zerstörungslust und des Fanatismus wider. Im zweiten Teil geht es um Formen der Etablierung des Bösen durch Gewohnheiten und Institutionen, um das Böse in kollektiver Mitwirkung, in der Exklusion und Marginalisierung, exzessiven Strafen und in der Despotie. Es gibt böse Gegenden und Anziehungspunkte und böse Zeiten wie Kriege. Administrative Massentötung richtet sich gegen Menschen und Tiere, das Böse wuchert auch im „Krieg gegen das Böse“. Im dritten Teil werden Gegenkräfte des Bösen untersucht: Neben den präventiven Mitteln gibt es auch ein weites Spektrum der Nachverarbeitung des vergangenen Bösen durch angemessene Erinnerung, Schuldgefühle und Reue. Tadel und Strafe sind zweischneidige Antworten auf das Böse. Problematisch ist auch das Programm einer Umerziehung der menschlichen Natur. Anstelle von „Lösungen“ zur Elimination des Bösen werden Korrektive wie z.B. ein moderater und konstruktiver Egoismus erwogen.

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