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Moral Tribes: Emotion, Reason, And The Gap Between Us And Them (2013)

by Joshua Greene(Favorite Author)

4.05 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

1594202605 (ISBN13: 9781594202605)

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

Penguin Press HC, The

review 1: Greene takes pains to source philosophy, social and cognitive sciences, psychology, and other material pertinent to having a reasoned conversation about why different groups of people can disagree about things each is so sure is moral and right[eous]. By chapter 5 he's plainly depicted the landscape of our biological proclivities, inherited perspectives, decision making, and biases. He's set upon that landscape metaphysical and reasoning tools with which you expect him to construct and reveal grand insight. Perhaps because of this groundwork, even more than the desire for understanding between the seemingly irreconcilable, Greene tragically disappoints the reader by repeatedly begging appeal for open-mindedness followed by what can only be described as half-assed, rushed,... more shoddy hand-waving rather than concerted (let alone rigorous) use of the tools he's laid out. No, the reader isn't left with insight beyond what a high school debate coach might give. They're left knowing Greene as a partisan hack, as convinced of his moral superiority as anyone else on the partisan spectrum. Summing Greene's position: Utilitarianism is the only means by which compromise can be attained. Though you may find Utilitarianism unworkable idealistic and its result morally reprehensible, this is simply because you've failed to use reason over emotion... ...or if you have used reason, because you've done so only to further rationalize your own position (something Greene provides heaping examples of in his own rhetoric). "You see", Greene says, "disagreeing with Utilitarianism is ridiculous because it means forsaking the /deeply pragmatic/ compromise required of reason." Wherein such a compromise demands judgement? These are precisely the situations in which one would turn to an expert... ...this expert just sticks his finger in the air and spouts the American Liberal line verbatim.
review 2: An interesting spin on utilitarianism. have you ever wondered what makes us decide what is moral and what is not? Some say morality comes from religion, some say it is genetics and science. Is there a common ground? Do we have a common moral currency? And how can this be applied to current intractable conflicts? I will most certainly be using this text to help educate others about morality and metamorality both within and between tribes. less

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