Everyday Ethics: Inspired Solutions to Real-Life Dilemmas [Paperback]

In an age when most of us spend more time thinking about what movie we’ll see than about how we want to lead our lives, nothing could be more timely and helpful than Everyday Ethics. In this refreshingly original book, Joshua Halberstam shows us how to develop a moral imagination—and have fun while doing it.

Halberstam demolishes the clichés of both religion and psychotherapy and entices us into looking at the small actions that make up the big picture of our character and values. Should we really refrain from making judgments? Should we let our conscience be our guide even if it urges us not to pay our taxes? Halberstam has something intriguing to say about these and many other issues. Witty and entertaining, Everyday Ethics is the moral equivalent of an aerobic dance session, as exhilarating as it is instructive.

Part I. The Morality of Relationships
1. Friends and Foes
Do You Like Your Friends?
Are Your Friendships Mutual?
Are You Friends at a Distance?
Special Friends
When a Friendship Is Over
Enemies
A Final Word on Hatred

2. The Morality of Romance (and a Bit about Sex)
Romance
And a Bit about Sex

3. Creeps and Saints
The Philosophy of Creephood
The Traits of Creephood
When the Saints Come Marchin' In
Your Saintly Habits

Part II. The Morality of Expression and Emotion
4. Talk
Conversation: The Three Levels of Talk
Head-Talk Versus Heart-Talk
Argument: Look Who's Talkinglc)