Religious Foundations for Global Ethics

For one semester/quarter courses on Religious Ethics.   Religious Foundations for Global Ethics is an overview of morality in a “nation of immigrants,” starting with the basic question of what morality is, and culminating in an examination of morality as a source of potential conflict, and how those conflicts can be resolved peacefully.  The author strives to discuss ethical concerns from a variety of religious, philosophical and psychological perspectives, so that students are able to conside issues outside of their own cultural point of view.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: The Moral Proclivity 1 An Introductory Overview Origins of Philosophy and Religion Contributions from Leading Religions, East and West Interfaces with Psychology Four Philosophical Traditions Contributions from Leading Religions East and West Religions of the East Religions of the West Interfaces with Psychology and Related Disciplines Experimental Psychology Sociobiology Implications for Global Ethics Notes   Chapter 2: The Moral Person The Idea of Personhood Fostering Personal Morality Contributions of Major Religions Eastern Religions Western Religions Variations on the Golden Rule Insights from the Social Sciences Implications for Global Ethics Notes Additional References   Chapter 3: The Family as Moral Context Some Historic Configurations Light from Six Major Religions, East and West Eastern Traditions Western Traditions Changing Families, Changing Mores Parenting Issues: To Be or Not to Be The Sex–Gender Tug of War: Religious Perspectives Children and Youth: Preparation for Life The Nuclear Family: Obsolete? Implications for Global Ethics Notes   Chapter 4: Can Schools Create an Ethical Society? The Evolution of Formal Education The Graeco-Roman Era The Dark Ages, Reformation, and Beyond The Assumed Moral Mandate Families, Congregations, and, Schools in Interaction Religion and Education in a Pluralistic Culture Eastern Traditions Western Traditions Implications for Global Ethics Notes   Chapter 5: The Just Society The Nature of Justice Religious Sources of Justice Sources of Injustice: Religious Reflections The Issue of Human Rights The Primacy of Human Rights Implications for Global Ethics Notes   Chapter 6: The Community of Culture Religion and the Arts Hinduism Buddhism Confucianism Judaism Christianity Religious Architecture and Artifacts Religious Music Artistic Expression in Islam Shared Art Religious Reflections on Science Science and Religion in Dialogue Technology: Benefits and Challenges Implications for Global Ethics Notes   Chapter 7: Value Conflicts in a Pluralistic Society Migrations: Religious and Cultural Perspectives Hinduism Buddhism Confucianism Judaism Christianity Islam Majority Rule versus Minority Rights Religion: Freedom versus Ideological Coercion Some “Hot-Button” Issues Ecology’s Impending Crisis Gender and the Role Definition Abortion: Freedom of Choice? Freedom to Choose? Homosexuality Implications of Hot-Button Issues on Global Ethics Notes   Chapter 8: Religion, Morality and The Culture of Violence Death as Entertainment: Freedom and Responsibility The Death Penalty: A Dead End? Asian Traditions Western Traditions The “Just” War War Against the Planet Implications for Global Ethics Epilogue: Moral Development in an Interdependent World Notes  

About the Author :
Dr. Robert B. McLaren, the author of six books and some sixty articles on science, religion and culture, has presented papers at conferences in the United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland and South Africa.   Professor McLaren was co-founder for the department of comparative religions, and has been named the distinguished Faculty Marshal for the college of Human Development in California State University, Fullerton. He has also been elected to receive Distinguished Alumnus Awards from the Springfield Collage in Illinois, and in Park University in Kansas City, Missouri.