Ethics for the New Millennium

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Title Ethics for the New Millennium
Publication Type Book
Pub Year 2001
Authors Lama, D.
Number of Pages 260
Publisher Penguin
Keywords anger, vision
Abstract

In a difficult, uncertain time, it takes a person of great courage, such as the Dalai Lama, to give us hope. Regardless of the violence and cynicism we see on television and read about in the news, there is an argument to be made for basic human goodness. The number of people who spend their lives engaged in violence and dishonesty is tiny compared to the vast majority who would wish others only well. According to the Dalai Lama, our survival has depended and will continue to depend on our basic goodness. Ethics for the New Millennium presents a moral system based on universal rather than religious principles. Its ultimate goal is happiness for every individual, irrespective of religious beliefs. Though he himself a practicing Buddhist, the Dalai Lama's teachings and the moral compass that guides him can lead each and every one of us--Muslim, Christian, Jew, Buddhist, or atheist--to a happier, more fulfilling life. His Holiness the Dalai Lama's newest book, The Wisdom of Compassion, is now available from Riverhead Books.

Notes vision"And whereas a vision properly motivated--which recognizes others' desire for and equal right to happiness and to be free of suffering--can lead to wonders, when divorced from basic human feeling the potential for destruction cannot be overestimated." (p. 72) anger"It is not impossible to imagine anger at the sight of injustice which causes someone to act altruistically. The anger that causes us to go to the assistance of someone who is being attacked in the street could be characterized as positive. But if this goes beyond meeting the injustice, if it becomes personal and turns into vengefulness or maliciousness, then danger arises. When we do something negative, we are capable of recognizing the difference between ourselves and the negative act. But we often fail to separate action and agent when it comes to others. This shows us how unreliable is even apparently justified anger." (p. 96)
URL http://books.google.com/books?id=ZoDzX1-In7UC