How Should I Live My Life?: Psychology, Environmental Science, and Moral Traditions

by George S. Howard, Theodore M. Hesburgh (Foreword)

A truly cross-disciplinary study of psychology, theology, economics, and environmental science, How Should I Live My Life presents an overview of human beliefs and institutions that have led to the emerging global ecological threats. By viewing societal institutions and the psychology that spawns them, George S. Howard gets to the root causes of global ecological crises and provides an effective roadmap for changing the disastrous course that humans face. With detailed descriptions of economic and psycological methods that lead to the choices that society has made, Howard puts forth his vision for society's path in a well-rounded argument for changing the course of economic and environmental policies practiced by the governments of the world today.

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[J]

This book is the second I have read that correctly, in my opinion, pinpoints the causal link between global environmental problems and a lack of wisdom on the individual level (the first book was Balance Point by Joseph Jenkins, a book you can legally download for free). Howard writes in his conclusion (which I think is a good summary): "I concur with the overwhelming majority of thinkers...who see our present problems as springing from various psychological, spiritual, economic, and political roots. ...This book focuses readers on their present attitudes. We must examine our attitudes toward money, perfectionism, success, green taxes, voluntary simplicity, conspicuous consumption, individualism, community, our spiritual values, and a host of other dimensions. Thus, I believe that changing humans' attitudes represents an important first step in solving our environmental problems." (pg 163)

The areas he mentions -- money, perfectionism, and so on -- are discussed in a pretty easy-to-read format. He proposes solutions. Interesting and infrequently seen perspectives are brought in, like Buddhist economics. Sometimes he mixes stuff up, though -- he seems to conflate Buddhism, Taoism and Hinduism -- but I still think that the overall assessment is right.