Thinking Ethically

Shared morals are key to a functioning society—and important for all of our relationships. But what happens if society no longer seems to share the same ethical views or beliefs? Do we really need to be divided from those whose opinions are different from our own? And are there ways that we can overcome these differences and divisions?
Exploring a variety of moral issues through engaging, real-life examples—including promise keeping, lying, adultery, favoring our friends and loved ones, harming innocent people for the good of the majority, the obligation to give to charity, and other ethical quandaries, Thinking Ethically: A Handbook for Making Moral Choices doesn’t tell you what to think or do! Using common—as well as hot-button—issues, it explores different points of view to illustrate how people make moral judgments and decisions. While conclusions may differ, this thought-provoking guide shows that people share the same moral foundations of honesty, kindness, promise-keeping, and a commitment to not harming others—and recognizes that our shared values can help heal other divisions! By explaining how we can all use our natural ability to think, debate, and evolve, this enlightening book offers numerous valuable insights, including …
- How to navigate conflicts when confronted with views that are contrary to your own - How to respond to hateful or prejudiced speech - How to communicate with and understand others during divided times - How disagreements can strengthen relationships rather than break them - How similar moral beliefs and commitments are shared across society - How complicated choices and pitfalls test moral principles - How to better understand your own moral decisions and judgments—as well as those of others!
Ultimately, this book is an invitation to self-reflection: What kind of person do you want to be? What is morally right and wrong? How do your moral values shape your decisions? Morality can sometimes be complicated and complex, but it’s not like physics. Anyone can do it, and this informative, accessible, and easy-to-understand book can help! By fostering empathy, compassion, and curiosity, Thinking Ethically is your guide to moral decisions, dilemmas, and debates—and overcoming divisions.

Scott Gelfand, PhD, JD, is a certified philosophical counselor and professor in the Department of Philosophy at Oklahoma State University, where he has taught a variety of undergraduate courses, including Ethical Theory, Philosophy and Culture, and Introduction to Philosophy. He received his Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Maryland and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. His academic publications focus on a variety of issues in ethics, including theoretical ethics, biomedical ethics, and research ethics. He’s devoted the last decade of his career to trying to better understand moral and political division in the United States as well as ways to heal or alleviate this division, leading to his first book for a general audience, Thinking Ethically: A Handbook for Making Moral Choices. He lives in Chicago.