What it means to be moral : why religion is not necessary for living an ethical life

“A thoughtful perspective on humans' capacity for moral behavior.” — Kirkus Reviews “A comprehensive introduction to religious skepticism.” — Publishers Weekly In What It Means to Be Moral: Why Religion Is Not Necessary for Living an Ethical Life , Phil Zuckerman argues that morality does not come from God. Rather, it comes from us: our brains, our evolutionary past, our ongoing cultural development, our social experiences, and our ability to reason, reflect, and be sensitive to the suffering of others. By deconstructing religious arguments for God–based morality and guiding readers through the premises and promises of secular morality, Zuckerman argues that the major challenges facing the world today—from global warming and growing inequality to religious support for unethical political policies to gun violence and terrorism—are best approached from a nonreligious ethical framework. In short, we need to look to our fellow humans and within ourselves for moral progress and ethical action. “In this brilliant, provocative, and timely book, Phil Zuckerman breaks down the myth that our morality comes from religion—compellingly making the case that when it comes to the biggest challenges we face today, a secular approach is the only truly moral one.” —Ali A. Rizvi, author of The Atheist Muslim The Author Of Living The Secular Life Deconstructs The Arguments For A Morality Informed By Religion, Urging That Major Challenges Like Global Warming And Growing Inequality Are Best Approached From A Framework Of Secular Morality /in What It Means To Be Moral: Why Religion Is Not Necessary For Living An Ethical Life, Phil Zuckerman Argues That Morality Does Not Come From God. Rather, It Comes From Us: Our Brains, Our Evolutionary Past, Our Ongoing Cultural Development, Our Social Experiences, And Our Ability To Reason, Reflect, And Be Sensitive To The Suffering Of Others. /through Deconstructing Religious Arguments For God-based Morality, And Guiding Readers Through The Premises And Promises Of Secular Morality, Phil Argues That The Major Challenges Facing The World Today, From Global Warming And Growing Inequality To Religious Support For Unethical Political Policies To Gun Violence And Terrorism--are Best Approached From A Nonreligious Ethical Framework. In Short, We Need To Look To Our Fellow Humans And Within Ourselves For Moral Progress And Ethical Action. -- Provided By Publisher. Why Morality Cannot Be Based On Faith In God -- Isms -- Absence Of Evidence Is Evidence Of Absence -- The Insidiousness Of Interpretation -- You Will Obey -- Sally, Butch, And Plato's Dilemma -- The Fundamentals Of Secular Morality -- What It Means To Be Moral -- Where Do You Get Your Morals? -- The Secular Seven -- Challenges To Secular Morality -- Accounting For Immorality -- Genocidal Century -- Secular Solutions -- Moral Relativism. Phil Zuckerman. Includes Bibliographical References.