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Ehics as a Religion
A description of the Ethical Culture movement considered as a non-theist religion. It describes the general outlook of the movement, analyzes the elements of Ethical religion, and provides a brief history.
273 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1951
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May 26, 2013
At one point, this book was the standard introduction to the ethical culture movement. It is still sold by the American Ethical Union. It has some definite flaws. The author's talk of Asiatic religion, Oriental despotism, and primitive and savage peoples will grate a modern mind as will his use of masculine language when referring to human beings in general. His occasional hints of American exceptionalism are also troubling. The fear of Communism so prevalent at the time of writing is manifest in the work, though he does rightfully see McCarthyism as a new Inquisition. His embrace of patriotism and his insistence on the preferability of joining a religious organization will also likely rub modern humanists the wrong way. They will also likely be skeptical of Muzzey's insistence that the laws of ethics are transcendent laws of reality itself (a bit of Kantianism inherited from Adler, though he also invokes Plato).
Despite these caveats, the central argument of the book, that a person can build up a creative, rich, and enduring spiritual life on the basis of ethical commitment, is compelling. Muzzey is also something of a rhetorician. The book is strewn with little diamonds that are readily quotable. And he is quite international in his outlook, quoting the Buddha, referencing 'the sages of Egypt, Confucius, and Ashoka, and making the case for the religion of ethics having an appeal across lines of race and creed. I would not read this book in order to understand the Ethical Culture movement in its current form, but as a source of inspiration on how to live a better life, as a bridge from more traditional conceptions of religion to Humanism, and as a valuable historical document. Just keep in mind it was first published in 1951.
Despite these caveats, the central argument of the book, that a person can build up a creative, rich, and enduring spiritual life on the basis of ethical commitment, is compelling. Muzzey is also something of a rhetorician. The book is strewn with little diamonds that are readily quotable. And he is quite international in his outlook, quoting the Buddha, referencing 'the sages of Egypt, Confucius, and Ashoka, and making the case for the religion of ethics having an appeal across lines of race and creed. I would not read this book in order to understand the Ethical Culture movement in its current form, but as a source of inspiration on how to live a better life, as a bridge from more traditional conceptions of religion to Humanism, and as a valuable historical document. Just keep in mind it was first published in 1951.
Displaying 1 of 1 review