Synopses & Reviews
The author of Living the Secular Life deconstructs the arguments for a morality informed by religion, urging that major challenges like global warming and growing inequality are best approached from a framework of secular morality.
In What It Means To Be Moral: Why Religion is Not Necessary for Living An Ethical Life, Phil Zuckerman argues that morality does not come from God. Rather, it comes from us: our brains, our evolutionary past, our ongoing cultural development, our social experiences, and our ability to reason, reflect, and be sensitive to the suffering of others.
Through deconstructing religious arguments for God-based morality, and guiding readers through the premises and promises of secular morality, Phil argues that the major challenges facing the world today, from global warming and growing inequality to religious support for unethical political policies to gun violence and terrorism — are best approached from a nonreligious ethical framework. In short, we need to look to our fellow humans and within ourselves for moral progress and ethical action.
Review
"As humanity moves forward, using science and reason to better understand the universe, many people nevertheless reflexively assume that ancient religions are needed for ethical living. Phil Zuckerman dismantles those assumptions brilliantly in What It Means to Be Moral, demonstrating that morality is perfectly consistent with secularity, that hope for a better world need not be reliant on outdated theology." David Niose, author of Nonbeliever Nation: The Rise of Secular Americans
Review
“In this brilliant, provocative, and timely book, Phil Zuckerman breaks down the myth that our morality comes from religion — compellingly making the case that when it comes to the biggest challenges we face today, a secular approach is the only truly moral one.” Ali A. Rizvi, author of The Atheist Muslim
Review
"Sociologist Zuckerman (Society Without God) presents a prodigiously well-supported argument against religion . . . A comprehensive introduction to religious skepticism." Publishers Weekly
Review
"A thoughtful perspective on humans' capacity for moral behavior." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"For anyone who has ever been asked, 'How can you be moral if you don't believe in God?' this book provides all the answers. A much-needed ethical clarion call." Peter Boghossian, author of A Manual for Creating Atheists and How to Have Impossible Conversations
About the Author
PHIL ZUCKERMAN is the author of several books, including The Nonreligious, Living the Secular Life, and Society Without God. He is a professor of Sociology at Pitzer College, and the founding chair of the nation's first Secular Studies program. He lives in Claremont, California, with his wife and three children.