Table Of Contenta
Constructing
Life
PHILOSOPHY
OPPOSING
W POINTS*
VI
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Sixth Edition
OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS SERIES ®
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Constructing Life
Other Books of Related Interest in the Opposing
Viewpoints Series:
American Values
Biomedical Ethics
Civil Liberties
Death and Dying
Euthanasia
Male/Female Roles
America
Religion in
&
Science Religion
Sexual Values
Social Justice
Suicide
a
Constructing Life
PHL
PHY
OPPOSING POINTS
^'PlA/
Sixth Edition
David L. Bender & Bruno Leone, Series Editors
David L. Bender, Book Editor
OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS SERIES ®
Greenhaven Press, Inc. PO Box 289009 San Diego, CA 92198-9009
No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form or
by any means, electrical, mechanical, or otherwise, including, but
not limited to, photocopy, recording, or any information storage
and retrieval system, vsdthout prior written permission from the
publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Constructing a life phil—osophy : opposing viewpoints / David L.
Bender, book editor. 6th ed., rev.
—
p. cm. (Opposing viewpoints series)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
-
ISBN 0-89908-198-3 |alk. paper) ISBN 0-89908-173-8
(pbk. alk. paper)
:
1. Life. 2. Conduct of life. 3. Religion. I. Bender,
David L., 1936- . II. Series: Opposing viewpoints series
(Unnumbered)
BD43LC665 1993
140-dc20
92-40706
CIP
Sixth Edition
Revised
Copyright ® 1993 by Greenhaven Press, Inc.
Printed in the U.S.A.
.
"Congress shall make no law
. .
abridging the freedom of speech,
or of the press."
First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
The basic foundation of our democracy is the first amendment
guarantee of freedom of expression. The Opposing Viewpoints
Series is dedicated to the concept of this basic freedom and the
idea that it is more important to practice it than to enshrine it.
.
Contents
Page
Why Consider Opposing Viewpoints? 9
Introduction 12
Chapter 1: What Is Your Current Life Path?
Chapter Preface 16
1. Choosing a Map for Life 17
M. Scott Peck
2. Living in a Cave 25
Plato
3. Discovering Your Personal Myth 30
Sam Keen
A Critical Thinking Activity:
Personalizing the Metaphor of Plato's Cave 35
Chapter 2: What Is Life's Meaning?
Chapter Preface 37
1 Life Has No Purpose 38
Richard Robinson
2. Jesus Christ Gives Life Purpose 42
Billy Graham
3. Ecofeminism Can Give Life Purpose 48
Riane Eisler
A Critical Thinking Activity:
Distinguishing Between Fact and Opinion 54
4. There Is No Best Guide for Life 56
Jiddu Krishnamurti
5. Evolution by Chance Explains the Human Situation 62
George Wald
6. God-Directed Evolution Explains Life's Meaning 66
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin byJohn Kobler
7. Love, Creation, and Understanding Give Life
Meaning 71
Arnold Toynbee
A
Critical Thinking Activity:
Identifying Your Beliefs 77
Periodical Bibliography 78
Chapter 3: How Do Religions Give Life Meaning?
Chapter Preface 80
1. Judaism Is a Way to Commune with God 81
Louis Finkelstein
2. Humanism Is a Way to Commune with People 89
Corliss Lamont
3. Hinduism Supports All Ways to God 94
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
4. Atheism Is the Way of Common Sense 99
Madalyn O'Hair
5. The Bible Is God's Way to Humanity 107
Emmaus Bible College
6. Liberal Christianity Is Humanity's Way to God 114
Donald E. Miller
7. Mythology Is a Way to Experience Life 122
Joseph Campbell
8. The Way to the Spirit Is to Go Within Oneself 130
Brooke Medicine Eagle
9. Buddhism Is the Way to Ultimate Reality 135
Ruth Fuller Sasaki
New
10. Creation-Centered Spirituality Offers a
Religious Paradigm 143
Matthew Fox
A Critical Thinking Activity:
Recognizing Ethnocentrism 150
Periodical Bibliography 152
Chapter 4: How Do Others Make Moral Decisions?
Chapter Preface 155
1. Love Is Life's Best Guide 156
Joseph Fletcher
2. Scripture Is Life's Best Guide 162
Milton L. Rudnick
3. Self-interest Is Life's Best Guide 170
Frank R. Zindler
4. Money Is Life's Present Guide 179
Jacob Needleman
A Critical Thinking Activity:
Constructing Moral Rules 184
5. The Church Promotes Moral Behavior 185
William H. Willimon
6. Religion Does Not Promote Moral Behavior 191
Wendell W. Waiters
7. Examine Your Ethical Attitudes 199
TheJosephson Institute ofEthics
A Critical Thinking Activity:
Making a Moral Decision 203
Periodical Bibliography 205
Chapter 5: How Should One Live?
Chapter Preface 208
1. Look Out for Number One 209
Robert Ringer
J.
2. Live for Others as Jesus Did 215
Ole Hallesby
3. Develop a Devious Mind 221
Niccolo Machiavelli
4. Develop an Honest Heart 224
ThomasJefferson
5. Develop a System of Values 228
Charles W. Anderson
6. Aim for Perfection 235
Benjamin Franklin
7. Join a Church That Encourages You to Think 242
Ruth Truman
A Critical Thinking Activity:
What Qualities Do You Admire in Others? 248
Periodical Bibliography 249
Annotated Book BibUography 250
Helpful Periodicals 254
Index 258
