Forbidden Fruit: The Ethics of Humanism [Paperback]

Paul W. Kurtz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1988

Fundamentalists from all religious persuasions deny the possibility of morality without belief in God. Yet belief in God is no guarantee of moral virtue - as the recent televangelist scandals have shown. Are there ethical, non-religious choices that will work for a world in crisis? Paul Kurtz, America's leading secular humanist philosopher, affirms that it is possible to live the good life and be morally responsible, without belief in religion. In this original and penetrating book, Kurtz delineates the means by which humanity can transcend the limitations of traditional religious loyalties and achieve a higher stage of ethics. In order to progress to a maximum level of creative development, Kurtz maintains, we must be nourished by the 'forbidden fruit' of the knowledge of good and evil, grounding principles and values in autonomous reason. This is the path that leads to the discovery of significant ethical truths that can guide both self-reliant conduct and consideration for the rights of others. By breaking the bonds of theistic illusion, we can summon the courage and wisdom to develop a rational ethic based on a realistic appraisal of nature and an awareness of the centrality of the moral decencies common to all peoples. The ultimate key to the good life, Kurtz writes, is to eat of the fruit of the second tree in the Garden of Eden - the tree of life - discovering for ourselves the manifold potentialities for a bountiful existence. "Forbidden Fruit" contains important chapters on privacy and human rights, and presents concrete ethical recommendations as alternatives to the reigning orthodoxies.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The ethics of humanism is "forbidden fruit" because it is knowledge of good and evil without God as a grounding principle. If "God is dead," does this mean that "anything goes"? By no means, argues Kurtz; an even more adequate ethics can be postulated when one recognizes fully that "human beings are autonomous, that we are responsible for our own destinies and those of our fellow human beings." In this wide-ranging survey and critique of theistic morality and of ethics in general, Kurtz discusses such contemporary issues as the right to life and health care, animal rights, sexual/reproductive freedom, and "being in the universe without God." For public and academic libraries. Leon H. Brody, U.S. Office of Personnel Management Lib., Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"An appropriate challenge to current trends in religion and politics." -- Booklist --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 266 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (March 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879754559
• ISBN-13: 978-0879754556
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,632,706 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Paul Kurtz, professor emeritus of philosophy at the State University of New York at Buffalo and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Transcendental Temptation, The Courage to Become, Embracing the Power of Humanism, plus nine hundred articles and reviews. He is the founder of the Center for Inquiry/Transnational, the Council for Secular Humanism, and the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. He has appeared on many major TV and radio talk shows, and has lectured at universities worldwide.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone Should Read this, May 2, 2002

By 

Kyle A. Cassidy "grandiloquent fellow of sesq... (Elwood, IN US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Forbidden Fruit: The Ethics of Humanism (Paperback)

As in his other book 'In Defense of Secular Humanism', Paul Kurtz explains that one need not be tied to religion to be ethical (or even moral). I agree with the previous reviewer who stated that the wirting can get a bit technical at times, but I don't think that it slows the pace at all. The technicality of some of the arguments is necessary, as Kurtz is using reason and logic to explain issues that are usually debated with emotional rhetoric or repititious dogma. You may have some friends who are teetering in their lockstep devotion to religion... so buy this book and give 'em a shove. They'll thank you.

38 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Defense of Humanistic Ethics, March 13, 2000

By 

Neil Murphy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Forbidden Fruit: The Ethics of Humanism (Paperback)

Paul Kurtz's "The Ethics of Humanism" is an excellent book showing an alternative to the mind- rape known as religion. In such chapters as "The Common Moral Decenies" and "Excelsior, The Ethics of Excellence" Kurtz provides an excllent defense of Humanistic principles and shows that life can indeed have a positive affirmative outlook. Indeed, to champion the Promethean ideal of living an automonus ethical life, is lost today in the world bombarded by theism, and Kurtz I feel does a nice job of trying to be Pro-humanist instead of anti-theist. I refrain from giving the book 5 stars because at times I feel Kurtz is a bit too technical in explaining his arguments and at times the book can be a little tedious. However, do not let these minor criticisms stop you from reading, in my opinion, one of the most influental books of contemporary ethical philosophy that I've ever read. This book will leave you with a feeling of an affarmation for the joys of life, an apprecation for autonomus ethical principles and a solid foundation on which you can life a life of principle and purpose without a belief in god. Purchase this book not only for yourself, but also for those who have been trapped in the delusion known as religion.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, But Not His Best., December 16, 2003

By 

Joseph Kimsey "Fareastnibelung" (Pac NW) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Forbidden Fruit: The Ethics of Humanism (Paperback)

I would like to say that I have enormous respect for Paul Kurtz and that I essentially agree with everything he espouses. I am an agnostic who believes that religion is a force mainly for ill. But he has written better books than this one.

Unlike The Transcendental Temptation, where Mr. Kurtz masterfully strips religion & pseudo-science of their pretensions & delusions of grandeur with damning evidence, Forbidden Fruit comes up a bit short & a little inconsequential in comparison. As a general introduction to Humanist ethics, it's fine. To be sure, Kurtz does spend a lot of time aptly demonstrating the ills & immorality of religious thought. He also capably describes how ethics are human inventions & obviously not ordained from high. I completely agree with these observations.

Unfortunately, some of his observations are as ill-considered as those of any mystic or creationist.

Aside from quibbles like these, this is an excellent book written by a giant of Humanist thought. I definitely recommend it to those considering abandoning outmoded religious thinking and fanaticism. Speaking of these, I would humbly request that the reviewer from "stationed overseas" remain stationed overseas. We have enough close-minded religious fanatics in the US as it is.