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Most Good, Least Harm A Simple Principle for a Better World and Meaningful Life by Weil, Zoe [Atria Books/Beyond Words,2009]
Most Good, Least Harm A Simple Principle for a Better World and Meaningful Life by Weil, Zoe. Published by Atria Books/Beyond Words,2009, Paperback
Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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338 people want to read
About the author
Zoe Weil
14 books62 followersZoe Weil is the co-founder and president of the Institute for Humane Education (IHE), where she created the first graduate programs (M.Ed., M.A., Ed.D., Graduate Certificate) in comprehensive Humane Education linking human rights, environmental sustainability, and animal protection, offered online through an affiliation with Antioch University.
Zoe is a frequent keynote speaker and has given six TEDx talks including her acclaimed TEDx, The World Becomes What You Teach. She is the author of seven books including "The Solutionary Way: Transform Your Life, Your Community and the World for the Better;" #1 Amazon best seller in the Philosophy and Social Aspects of Education, "The World Becomes What We Teach: Educating a Generation of Solutionaries;" Nautilus silver medal winner "Most Good, Least Harm;" Moonbeam gold medal winner "Claude and Medea;" and "Above All, Be Kind: Raising a Humane Child in Challenging Times."
Zoe is the 2023 recipient of the Spirit of America award and was named one of Maine Magazine’s 50 independent leaders transforming their communities and the state. She is the recipient of the Unity College Women in Environmental Leadership award, a subject of the Americans Who Tell the Truth portrait series, and was inducted into the Animal Rights hall of fame.
Zoe holds master’s degrees from Harvard Divinity School and the University of Pennsylvania and was awarded an honorary doctorate from Valparaiso University.
Zoe is a frequent keynote speaker and has given six TEDx talks including her acclaimed TEDx, The World Becomes What You Teach. She is the author of seven books including "The Solutionary Way: Transform Your Life, Your Community and the World for the Better;" #1 Amazon best seller in the Philosophy and Social Aspects of Education, "The World Becomes What We Teach: Educating a Generation of Solutionaries;" Nautilus silver medal winner "Most Good, Least Harm;" Moonbeam gold medal winner "Claude and Medea;" and "Above All, Be Kind: Raising a Humane Child in Challenging Times."
Zoe is the 2023 recipient of the Spirit of America award and was named one of Maine Magazine’s 50 independent leaders transforming their communities and the state. She is the recipient of the Unity College Women in Environmental Leadership award, a subject of the Americans Who Tell the Truth portrait series, and was inducted into the Animal Rights hall of fame.
Zoe holds master’s degrees from Harvard Divinity School and the University of Pennsylvania and was awarded an honorary doctorate from Valparaiso University.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 29, 2020
A must-read for anyone wishing to live a cleaner, greener lifestyle.
April 13, 2018
As someone with a MSci in Environmental Conservation who thinks about sustainability every day, this book didn't teach me a lot.
What it did do was get hella preachy about veganism (while ignoring the pretty terrible environmental impacts veganism has on the planet AND the fact that some people have health conditions that prohibit them from a vegan lifestyle). There are ways of eating meat and eating well that are low-impact and sustainable and this book ignored all of them while the author simultaneously told us not to judge the choices of others.
This book also didn't address the inherent privilege in the proposed lifestyle modifications. Not everyone has the time and/or money to do most of these things, so I think if you're one of those people this book felt really judgemental.
Good info here for those with the means of making changes who don't already know all this stuff but mostly it came off as preachy, judgemental, idealistic, and not that helpful.
What it did do was get hella preachy about veganism (while ignoring the pretty terrible environmental impacts veganism has on the planet AND the fact that some people have health conditions that prohibit them from a vegan lifestyle). There are ways of eating meat and eating well that are low-impact and sustainable and this book ignored all of them while the author simultaneously told us not to judge the choices of others.
This book also didn't address the inherent privilege in the proposed lifestyle modifications. Not everyone has the time and/or money to do most of these things, so I think if you're one of those people this book felt really judgemental.
Good info here for those with the means of making changes who don't already know all this stuff but mostly it came off as preachy, judgemental, idealistic, and not that helpful.
September 7, 2009
My full review on Elephant Journal: http://www.elephantjournal.com/2009/0...
June 24, 2017
A book about how to make more conscious choices regarding food, products, work and more.
December 30, 2021
It was very good. Must read for anyone worried about what they can do for climate change.
October 14, 2022
What I like most about this book is the author talks about doing research and then make choices that work with you. It isn't all or nothing.
June 20, 2015
“If there is any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow human being, let me do it now, and not deter or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.” — William Penn
For the past few days, like a lot of people, I have felt a deep and profound grief over the senseless deaths of nine beautiful people who were committing the innocent act of attending bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Men and women were shot dead due to the racism and hatred of one person, a person who was welcomed into Mother Emanuel with loving grace and kindness. I have so much anger at the shooter, and so much admiration for the victims’ families and friends for the forgiveness they are showing towards him. I truly don’t know if I could do the same.
So I sit here, thinking of what a messed up world we live in. Detestable hate crimes like what happened in Charleston seems to be never-ending and I just want to throw things or curl up into a little ball of sadness, anger and cynicism. But that wouldn’t be very productive, now would it?
And so I decided to read Zoe Weil’s book Most Good, Least Harm: A Simple Principle for a Better World and Meaningful Life.” I’m well aware that reading a book and writing a review will not change what happened in Charleston or heal race relations, but at this point, I think we can all use some positive vibes and some inspiration on how we can put some good out into a very broken society.
Zoe Weil is the co-founder and president of the Institute for Humane Education. She also leads workshops on doing what she calls Most Good (MOGO). I can’t think of a more perfect person to motivate us to examine our values and let these values guide us in the decisions we make and the actions we take to better our world.
Most Good, Least Harm is divided into three parts-Looking Inward, Choosing Outward, and Getting Started.
In Looking Inward, Weil behooves us to take a good look at ourselves and discover our values-what do we hold dear in our hearts, minds, and souls. In this part, she gives us seven keys to MOGO.
Live Your Epitaph
Pursue Joy Through Service
Make Connections and Self-Reflect
Model Your Message and Work for Change
Find and Create Community
Take Responsibility
Strive for Balance
Once we figure out our values we learn how to get our values into the world by choosing outward. This is our values in tangible action and can include everything from the products and food we buy to the work we do. Weil also calls us to action through activism and volunteering and using the tools of democracy to the better of society. These could include writing to your senator or congressperson on issues that are important to you. This could include donating your money, time or skills to local charitable organizations. Weil provides a list of 10 principles for a MOGO life, which include things like transforming education and investing our money wisely. And to make this part of the book for palpable for the reader, Weil offers several stories of individuals who took MOGO to heart and are now make positive changes. A great by-product of living a MOGO life? Doing good feels good!
Finally, we come to the last part-Getting Started. We figured out our values. We’ve coming up with ways to put these values in action. Now what? To jump start implementing MOGO Weil gives us a questionnaire and action plan. She also gives us some food for thought with facts and statistics on various important issues. And finally, Weil gives us resources to help us further our commitment to MOGO lives. These resources include various websites, books and organizations.
Most Good, Least Harm is slim volume but it packs a wallop, the type of book you can refer to again and again on how to know your values and then how to put them in action. Some people might complain that Weil focuses a bit too much on what she values and how she’s implementing her values to be more MOGO, but I believe she’s just using her personal story as an example of MOGO, not a guide we have to follow or else.
Ultimately, once you read Most Good, Least Harm you feel a bit less lost and helpless and a lot more empowered. In our mixed-up, messed up world it’s time to MOGO!
Originally Published at the Book Self:
https://thebookselfblog.wordpress.com...
For the past few days, like a lot of people, I have felt a deep and profound grief over the senseless deaths of nine beautiful people who were committing the innocent act of attending bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Men and women were shot dead due to the racism and hatred of one person, a person who was welcomed into Mother Emanuel with loving grace and kindness. I have so much anger at the shooter, and so much admiration for the victims’ families and friends for the forgiveness they are showing towards him. I truly don’t know if I could do the same.
So I sit here, thinking of what a messed up world we live in. Detestable hate crimes like what happened in Charleston seems to be never-ending and I just want to throw things or curl up into a little ball of sadness, anger and cynicism. But that wouldn’t be very productive, now would it?
And so I decided to read Zoe Weil’s book Most Good, Least Harm: A Simple Principle for a Better World and Meaningful Life.” I’m well aware that reading a book and writing a review will not change what happened in Charleston or heal race relations, but at this point, I think we can all use some positive vibes and some inspiration on how we can put some good out into a very broken society.
Zoe Weil is the co-founder and president of the Institute for Humane Education. She also leads workshops on doing what she calls Most Good (MOGO). I can’t think of a more perfect person to motivate us to examine our values and let these values guide us in the decisions we make and the actions we take to better our world.
Most Good, Least Harm is divided into three parts-Looking Inward, Choosing Outward, and Getting Started.
In Looking Inward, Weil behooves us to take a good look at ourselves and discover our values-what do we hold dear in our hearts, minds, and souls. In this part, she gives us seven keys to MOGO.
Live Your Epitaph
Pursue Joy Through Service
Make Connections and Self-Reflect
Model Your Message and Work for Change
Find and Create Community
Take Responsibility
Strive for Balance
Once we figure out our values we learn how to get our values into the world by choosing outward. This is our values in tangible action and can include everything from the products and food we buy to the work we do. Weil also calls us to action through activism and volunteering and using the tools of democracy to the better of society. These could include writing to your senator or congressperson on issues that are important to you. This could include donating your money, time or skills to local charitable organizations. Weil provides a list of 10 principles for a MOGO life, which include things like transforming education and investing our money wisely. And to make this part of the book for palpable for the reader, Weil offers several stories of individuals who took MOGO to heart and are now make positive changes. A great by-product of living a MOGO life? Doing good feels good!
Finally, we come to the last part-Getting Started. We figured out our values. We’ve coming up with ways to put these values in action. Now what? To jump start implementing MOGO Weil gives us a questionnaire and action plan. She also gives us some food for thought with facts and statistics on various important issues. And finally, Weil gives us resources to help us further our commitment to MOGO lives. These resources include various websites, books and organizations.
Most Good, Least Harm is slim volume but it packs a wallop, the type of book you can refer to again and again on how to know your values and then how to put them in action. Some people might complain that Weil focuses a bit too much on what she values and how she’s implementing her values to be more MOGO, but I believe she’s just using her personal story as an example of MOGO, not a guide we have to follow or else.
Ultimately, once you read Most Good, Least Harm you feel a bit less lost and helpless and a lot more empowered. In our mixed-up, messed up world it’s time to MOGO!
Originally Published at the Book Self:
https://thebookselfblog.wordpress.com...
October 12, 2021
Most Good, Least Harm is a guide to living the MOGO principle—making choices that do the “Most Good” for the world around us—including people, animals, and the environment. Don’t be mistaken into thinking you’re in for a joyless screed—what impressed me most about the author was the compassion she had for her readers.
Weil shares the following quote from Derreck Jensen:
It is possible to kill a million people without personally shedding a drop of blood.
And it’s absolutely true. In today’s global marketplace, it is so simple to snap up a designer handbag made by children in Indian sweatshops or a fur-trimmed coat that caused incredible suffering to animals on fur mills in China. No one sees the story or even considers it. Weil asks us to consider it.
I’ll stop right here and say how glad I am that Weil included animal welfare and protection in her MOGO principle. So many of these types of books focus on human interests only or the environment only; animals are completely ignored—even though their fates are quite clearly tied with ours. Some socially conscious folks might even be exposed to animal issues for the first time through this book. So I thank the author for that.
I also thank her for her realistic viewpoint. She acknowledges that some people’s budgets or social situations force them to shop at big-box chains. While this is obviously not the best situation, this is the only choice for some of us—so Weil suggests some other positive steps we can take, even if we still have to shop at the big-box places.
There’s a tendency among certain sectors to treat SUVs as if they were the source of all evil in the world, and ignore all other vehicles, including gas-hogging sports cars. While Weil’s frequent mentions of SUVs troubled me that she might be on this same bandwagon, she pleasantly surprised me when she admitted:
I understood that my own annual plane trips caused more carbon dioxide to be released into the atmosphere than my neighbor’s SUV…
All in all, this is a fine book that will fit well in your personal or public library. I was a bit disappointed to see that some of the facts and figures are outdated. For example, the author talks about US consumption of soda vs. water in 1989. Aren’t there newer stats for this that aren’t 20 years old? I’m going to guess consumption of BOTH has gone up dramatically.
I purchased this book for my library.
(Dammit, they’re so cool!)
Weil shares the following quote from Derreck Jensen:
It is possible to kill a million people without personally shedding a drop of blood.
And it’s absolutely true. In today’s global marketplace, it is so simple to snap up a designer handbag made by children in Indian sweatshops or a fur-trimmed coat that caused incredible suffering to animals on fur mills in China. No one sees the story or even considers it. Weil asks us to consider it.
I’ll stop right here and say how glad I am that Weil included animal welfare and protection in her MOGO principle. So many of these types of books focus on human interests only or the environment only; animals are completely ignored—even though their fates are quite clearly tied with ours. Some socially conscious folks might even be exposed to animal issues for the first time through this book. So I thank the author for that.
I also thank her for her realistic viewpoint. She acknowledges that some people’s budgets or social situations force them to shop at big-box chains. While this is obviously not the best situation, this is the only choice for some of us—so Weil suggests some other positive steps we can take, even if we still have to shop at the big-box places.
There’s a tendency among certain sectors to treat SUVs as if they were the source of all evil in the world, and ignore all other vehicles, including gas-hogging sports cars. While Weil’s frequent mentions of SUVs troubled me that she might be on this same bandwagon, she pleasantly surprised me when she admitted:
I understood that my own annual plane trips caused more carbon dioxide to be released into the atmosphere than my neighbor’s SUV…
All in all, this is a fine book that will fit well in your personal or public library. I was a bit disappointed to see that some of the facts and figures are outdated. For example, the author talks about US consumption of soda vs. water in 1989. Aren’t there newer stats for this that aren’t 20 years old? I’m going to guess consumption of BOTH has gone up dramatically.
I purchased this book for my library.
(Dammit, they’re so cool!)
July 7, 2012
I found this book to be inspiring and extremely helpful. I'm always wondering about how to deal with living as a privileged person in a first-world country and knowing how many people, inside and outside of the U.S., are suffering. This gives some very practical suggestions and even discusses guilt and how to deal with it.
My only critique is that the author seemed to pick her own "pet" issues to focus on (she devotes entire chapters to products/shopping, and to food) while stating elsewhere that other issues such as poverty, civil rights, etc., etc., etc. are equally important. It didn't really deter me though, and in fact, I've been more thoughtful since reading the shopping chapter about what really makes me happy and how/why not to just purchase "stuff" especially if it might have a negative impact on others (e.g., sweat shops).
Overall, I think this book recommends a nice, balanced way to contribute to the world while not completely overhauling your current lifestyle or overwhelming yourself or others to do so. I definitely recommend this for anyone else who may be wondering how to feel good about contributing to others and the world while living your own life.
My only critique is that the author seemed to pick her own "pet" issues to focus on (she devotes entire chapters to products/shopping, and to food) while stating elsewhere that other issues such as poverty, civil rights, etc., etc., etc. are equally important. It didn't really deter me though, and in fact, I've been more thoughtful since reading the shopping chapter about what really makes me happy and how/why not to just purchase "stuff" especially if it might have a negative impact on others (e.g., sweat shops).
Overall, I think this book recommends a nice, balanced way to contribute to the world while not completely overhauling your current lifestyle or overwhelming yourself or others to do so. I definitely recommend this for anyone else who may be wondering how to feel good about contributing to others and the world while living your own life.
June 30, 2016
Author and humane educator Zoe Weil inspires us to live a lifestyle with more meaning, purpose, peace, caring, compassion, and joy, by living a life based on our deepest values. Weil inspires us to make more examined, conscious choices when we shop for products and services by making the most humane, sustainable decisions possible and making choices that don’t exploit, oppress, or cause suffering to people, animals or the environment. She encourages us to walk the talk and make our life the message. And Weil shows us easy ways to recognize our patterns and make changes that endure, and shares many stories about inspiring people that have radically changed their lives in order to live their deepest values everyday. Weil even addresses choosing careers and work that does not cause harm but instead, helps others, recommending that we take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job we consider. Living the “Most Good, Least Harm” is about choosing to live from our hearts everyday through conscious decision-making and by reducing the negative impact our lives have on people, planet, animals and the environment.
November 30, 2009
Zoe Weil (who founded the Institute for Humane Education) has written a practical and compassionate guide for people who want to make a difference but who may at times feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the world's problems. In an easy and engaging style, she uses the principle of "most good, least harm." She does this gently and in a non-judgmental tone, connecting the dots between issues: social change, human rights, environmentalism, animal issues, peace and global sustainability. The pages are interspersed with exercises you can do, personal stories, and resources. It is not an all or nothing approach either. You make the changes that you feel able to do. Small steps do count. I cannot praise this book enough. Please read it! A wealth of wisdom is packed into its slim 224 pages!
January 20, 2010
At the core of this book is the MOGO principle, or "MOst GOod, least harm." The idea is when we make daily choices that do the most good and least harm, we foster inner and outer peace. Questioning and investigating how our choices affect other people, other species, and the environment allows us to make more informed, positive choices that align with our values.
The main section of the book presents the seven keys to MOGO, which gives tools and a framework with which to lead a MOGO life.
Other chapters deal with our choices relating to the products we use, the foods we eat, and the work we do. These give no more than a general overview, but a reading list is included in the back of the book which is quite helpful and extensive.
Highly recommended.
The main section of the book presents the seven keys to MOGO, which gives tools and a framework with which to lead a MOGO life.
Other chapters deal with our choices relating to the products we use, the foods we eat, and the work we do. These give no more than a general overview, but a reading list is included in the back of the book which is quite helpful and extensive.
Highly recommended.
October 3, 2012
A guidebook for changing your life, one small habit at a time, towards a better life. Simple things might include mowing an elderly neighbor's lawn with your own, or making a new friend to build community in your neighborhood, changing your incandescent light bulbs for candles, LED's and CFL's, or choosing to make 1/3 or your underwear organic cotton. Or choosing to buy recycled toilet paper half of the time... or rechargeable batteries, or using cloth shopping bags as often as you can remember them. Just one tiny change at a time adds up if enough people make just a few, voluntary changes that become habits. It's not about being big or perfect... It's about trying in your own tiny way.
December 26, 2010
This is one of the most important books I have read. I actually wish I had read it before writing my own book, as it touches on some of the same issues of environmental guilt and sorting out consumer options. Truly inspiring and the perfect book to read entering a new year.
January 9, 2010
Expounds on the MOGO (more good) philosophy. The resources and action plans were good. A good starting point to get you thinking about how your actions affect others.
August 28, 2016
A quick read.
If you think it's not already too late to save the planet from human beans, this is your book.
Lots of good information (links, etc.) included.
Principles for thoughtful living.
If you think it's not already too late to save the planet from human beans, this is your book.
Lots of good information (links, etc.) included.
Principles for thoughtful living.
Read
August 4, 2012Although I agree with Weil's ideas, I find the text a bit simplistic.
July 30, 2012
Ensuring that our choices reflect our values and that we’re striving to do the most good & least harm for all are important elements of being a healthy, joyful, effective activist. A must-read.
September 1, 2012
Excellent book about choosing in our lives to do that which will lead to the most good, and the least harm. I love Zoe! The world needs more of her!
January 22, 2013
Small in size and rich in inspiration. Lots of stories to help conceptualize personal change and resources to make plans for change.
January 4, 2013
Excellent information and resources. Really makes you think about what you purchase and consume.
April 15, 2014
The thing about this book that is useful is the author's no-guilt, do-your-best-because-it-will-ultimately-make-you-happy philosophy. It really could just be pamphlet, though.
April 28, 2017
Such a great meditation on living a joyful life. I tend to get annoyed by what I call "floofy" writing, but this one is nice and practical, with a lot of concrete action items. I'm going to have to get it for myself.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews