Paul WoodruffReseñas

In this book, some of the most penetrating communicators of our time turn their attention to the dark side of the human psyche. They speak from the heart about mass murder, racial discrimination, war, and nastiness both personal and institutional. The explore ways to confront Evil and perhaps transform it into Good. In the end they ask: What is to be done? This book contains the proceedings of the famous symposium at Salado, Texas, subject of the Bill Moyers PBS special "Facing Evil."

Interesting, made me think. Would've helped if I'd had more of a classical education so I could understand all the references to Greek literature. Was pleased to read his opinion of reverence as a virtue, a virtue that I think is sadly lacking in so many people these days. Disappointed that the final chapter didn't tie everything together or summarize his thesis. The book simply ended.

The subject itself was interesting, but at some point, I just had to push my way through what felt like wet cement. (I don't think this is a fault of the author; it's probably just due to the fact that I prefer my philosophizing more in the style of Barthes and Derrida.)

Quotes from the NYTimes Book Review: "The author argues that this myth revolves around the issue of rewards, which “mark the difference between winners and losers.” He adds: “Rewards are public recognition for contributions made. They express the values of a community.” But which, he asks, do we value more: “Cleverness or hard work? Strength or intelligence? Loyalty or inventiveness?”

We see the significance of all this today. “In industry, bankers and fund managers have carried off the prizes,” Mr. Woodruff says, “while most of us are Ajaxes, team players who work hard at our various tasks and are loyal to the communities in which we live.” We grow angry, he says, when rewards go to those “who do not live by our values.” Justice, we believe, has failed."

“We all know highly learned people who are fools,” he writes. “Experts often use their knowledge or skill to do dreadful things.” He also stresses the role of compassion in making just choices. “If justice is going to help us get along,” he says, “it has to affect our feelings,” which implies that it must consider what others have at stake emotionally. One reason Agamemnon fails so badly here, Mr. Woodruff argues, is that he displays little or no compassion for the shame and dishonor Ajax feels in not winning the armor.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/04/business/ajax-dilemma-looks-at-fundamental-fai...

I am currently reading Michael Sandel's
[b:Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?|6452731|Justice What's the Right Thing to Do?|Michael J. Sandel|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1311982976s/6452731.jpg|6642936] and watching his Yales lectures at iTunesU. This might make a terrific companion book. The word "justice" is thrown around so loosely these days, and is often used as a synonym for revenge. It's just not that simple, witness the recent per curiam decision in Cavazos v Smith (see my group post at http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/727495-cavazos-v-smith-the-supreme-court-pre...

http://pixxiefishbooks.blogspot.com/2008/06/first-democracy-challenge-of-ancient...

Jury's still out on this one. It was ... fine. But I didn't think it was very well-written (still trying to figure out why, however), and it frightened me how often I disagreed with or disputed some of his claims, leading me to wonder if I really believe in democracy at all!

Highlights (?) include:

* The tale of the frog and the snake, one of Aesop's fables, used to illustrate how our laws are often absurd, yet somehow necessary in order to protect from tyranny (p. 211 et seq.). I found this argument unfounded, illogical, and, frankly, ridiculous. I also think the fable was a poor illustration of the point being made.

* The fallacies in the arguments of those who would oppose democracy: mainly, that citizen wisdom will always fail since the ordinary person has neither the time, the education nor the will to make decisions, so best to defer to those with the expertise to do it for them (see p. 159 et seq.). I agree with Woodruff to a point; yet, again, his arguments (remember he is disagreeing with these claims) are not carried out as fully as they should have been.

* In a discussion of whether the United States and other similar so-called 'democracies' are ready for actual democracy (rule actually for and by the people), Woodruff has a throwaway paragraph about Canada in which he points to the actions of a citizen activist group in British Columbia as proof that Canada is, in fact, ready for actual democratic reform such as proportional representation (see 213 et seq.). Not likely, Mr. Woodruff. First of all, while proportional representation is a popular idea generally, the chances of it becoming the norm in Canada as a whole is highly unlikely, given the structure of our government. Second of all, a citizen group in B.C. is unfortunately not going to have the leverage to get this idea successfully promoted cross-Canada ... even if they could get the B.C. legislative assembly to agree. Their activism cannot be taken as representative of Canada's prevailing political will.

On the plus side, Woodruff knows a lot about the workings of Greek democracy, and that was fairly interesting. However, there are better books on the origins of democracy, and while this is a short read at just over 200 pages, I'm not sure it's worth the time.

Very good, looks at a forgotten virtue

A book written by an idiot for idiots. It's simple, uninteresting crap.½

I think this is an important book. The Author describes the 200 year Athenian struggle for democracy. He identifies 7 traits of Democracy and examines each with respect to events in ancient Athens. He believes that the United States have been on a path toward democracy but that recently we may be retreating from rather than advancing toward it. A very thought-provoking and informative book.

An interesting meditation on the virtue of reverence and its relevance to modern life. Drawing on both Ancient Greek and Chinese philosophy, the author explains what reverence is and why it is important.
This is not some 'new-age' feel good attempt to make a quick buck out of making philosophy easy for non-philosophers. Rather it is an in-depth look at virtue, discussing not just reverence but also such things as the difference between morals and ethics.