Customer Reviews

Choosing the Right Thing to Do, In Life, at Work, in Relationships, and for the Planet

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How many books about philosophy begin with a fiery car crash worthy of a Sylvester Stallone movie? This unlikely scene, taken from the childhood of author David A. Shapiro, opens Choosing the Right Thing to Do, and Shapiro uses it as a launching pad for his wide-ranging exploration of philosophy in everyday life. Throughout the book, Shapiro uses stories from his own life, as well as other real-life examples, to illuminate dilemmas that everyone faces. With them, Shapiro demonstrates the various "moral prisms" through which these dilemmas can be viewed and evaluated. After reading this book, you'll be able to amaze and impress your friends by correctly using words such as deontological and communitarian, and you'll know what core question an existentialist asks when viewing a given situation: "What course of action will set people most free?" Shapiro also explores time-honored moral tenets such as The Golden Rule, and even discusses the usefulness of modern oracles without once invoking the phrase "New Age." He does make the mistake of disparaging the superior Sunshine Hydrox cookie, calling it inferior to the venerable (and far too sweet) Oreo, but compensates for this glaring error by pointing out the central illogic in the concept of ethical relativism. In an era when values, virtue and morality are seemingly up for grabs, Choosing the Right Thing to Do offers important tools--Shapiro's "moral prisms"--with which to evaluate and understand the complex world around us and to indeed choose the right thing to do. Above all, Shapiro makes a compelling case for virtuous behavior based upon our moral legacy, "in which the choices we make represent an authentic expression of our deepest values; in which our moral legacy really reflects how we would most like to be remembered." Though accessible and often amusing, many of Shapiro's anecdotes offer poignant insights into the importance of making right moral choices. In the end, the explosive opening is revisited, and Shapiro shares the impact that this event had on his life and on his relationship with his father. Choosing the Right Thing to Do is philosophy for people who want to learn what is right, even if they don't have any letters after their names.

Discerning right from wrong can present difficult choices, but author David A. Shapiro tries to cut through the ethical fog to clarify your moral decisions. His thought-provoking, conversational guide to moral choices offers multiple insights. While he acknowledges how difficult ethical decisions can be, he also clearly sets down many ways to understand them and make them, whether they involve personal or professional considerations. The book is readable, not self-righteous or preachy. It simply shines a light on the processes involved in selecting your actions from across a broad right-to-wrong spectrum, and gives a number of real-life examples. We... recommend this book to everyone, because everyday decisions can be more complicated than they look.

Dave is a real great guy, and so are his lovely wife and daughter. Dave is a true seeker, and anyone who is also seeking will get quite a bit out of reading his book. Dave is also a wonderful yogi, and after long and arduous practive is now able to twist himself up into a pretzle.

Buy this book, and you will enjoy it.