How to Make Good Decisions and Be Right All the Time: Solving the Riddle of Right and Wrong

by Iain King

A compelling guide to ethical thinking for everyday life
In How to Make Good Decisions and Be Right All the Time Iain King presents an introduction to moral philosophy from the ancient Greeks to the Enlightenment and beyond. He argues that right and wrong need a Newtonian revolution so that they are no longer a matter of judgment or guesswork and presents a system of simple formulas for solving difficult moral quandaries. Clearly argued, the book combines new ideas with old and rips apart traditional tenets of morality, dismantling even the golden rule that you should "do unto others as you would have done unto you." In their place, the author constructs a new, comprehensive system of ethics, identifying the basic DNA of right and wrong and offering clear advice on how to be good in today's complicated and challenging world. Sometimes controversial and thoroughly engaging throughout, How to Make Good Decisions and Be Right All the Time is required reading for anyone with a difficult decision to make.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published October 16, 2008

About the author

Iain King has just become one of the top twenty best-selling thriller authors on Amazon.com.

Iain has worked in ten conflicts and warzones, including Iraq, South Sudan, and throughout the Balkans. In Afghanistan, where he came under fire several times, he served alongside both the battalion commanders who became UK's most senior casualties, and was deployed to more frontline bases in the notorious Helmand Province than any other civilian. In 2013, he became one of the youngest people to be made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE).

It was while based in Benghazi, coordinating international civilian support during part of the 2011 Libyan war, that Iain met some of the refugees who feature so prominently in his new thriller, 'Last Prophecy of Rome'. The book begins with terrorists threatening to inflict on America the fate of ancient Rome. Could Western civilisation be destroyed by barbarians a second time...? Read 'Last Prophecy of Rome' to find out - an edge-of-your-seat thriller with some unexpected warnings from history. The book has just been published, and is already receiving excellent reviews.

Since its release in July 2015, 'Secrets of the Last Nazi' has topped kindle charts in both the US and the UK. The story traces an extraordinary pursuit across Europe, as Cold War rivals hunt the secrets of former SS Captain Werner Stolz. The debut novel has won effusive reviews both as a compulsive page-turner and for the amazing secret at the heart of the tale. Readers have called it 'gripping', 'spell-binding', and 'suspenseful', and several have said it was the best book they had read for years. Bloggers have called it 'unputdownable', 'fantastic', and 'mesmerising'. A well-known American reviewer described it as 'One of the most original and carefully thought out stories that have yet to appear in print,' while a Guardian columnist claims it will 'turn everybody's ideas upside down and back to front.'

Iain has also written two non-fiction books:

'How to Make Good Decisions and Be Right All the Time' is an easy-to-understand introduction to moral philosophy, which also presents a radical new theory on ethics. Used in philosophy courses, it avoids jargon and explains complicated ideas in simple language. The book invites readers to consider some practical dilemmas and long-standing problems in moral philosophy, and offers innovative solutions.

'Peace at Any Price' chronicles the international intervention in Kosovo, explaining what worked well, what didn't and why. The Economist praised it as 'refreshing, serious and well-considered... excellent,' while the Journal of Southern Europe described it as 'one of the most perceptive accounts ever written on the practical difficulties associated with peace building in the aftermath of ethnic conflict.'

Iain also edited and wrote the opening chapter of 'Making Peace in War'. This compilation of stories from civilians who served in Helmand's frontline is both moving and compelling. It tells of absurd but very human events during the war, and offers a unique and fascinating perspective on recent events in Afghanistan.

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're searching for a captivating read that challenges your moral intuitions and delves deeper into the concepts of right and wrong. In that case, I highly recommend exploring "How to Make Good Decisions and Be Right All the Time: Solving the Riddle of Right and Wrong" by Iain King. This remarkable book introduces moral philosophy, covering the prominent theories and thinkers from ancient Greece to the present day. King argues that to tackle complex moral dilemmas, we require a new ethical system grounded in straightforward formulas and principles. He terms this system "quasi-utilitarianism," which amalgamates the golden rule with the principle of maximising happiness for the greatest number.

The book is thoughtfully organised into four distinct parts. The initial section delves into the foundations of right and wrong, emphasising the role of empathy and obligation in guiding our actions. The subsequent section refines the core principle of King's system: "Help someone if your help is worth more to them than it is to you."

Expanding upon these principles, the third part addresses other ethical predicaments, such as deception, justice, punishment, and human rights. Finally, the fourth part brings these principles to real-world scenarios, including philanthropy, politics, warfare, and environmental issues.

Iain King's writing is lucid and captivating, with ample examples and thought-provoking experiments that illustrate his arguments. He fearlessly tackles controversial subjects such as torture, abortion, euthanasia, and animal rights while challenging conventional moral principles like the golden rule and the categorical imperative. In doing so, King demonstrates how his system offers definitive answers and solutions to other ethical theories.

However, it is worth noting that the book has flaws. Some of the arguments may appear overly simplistic or rely on questionable assumptions. Certain examples presented within the book might be unrealistic or outdated. Additionally, a few of the principles might seem vague or inconsistent, and certain conclusions may come across as counterintuitive or implausible. Neither does the book address some major objections or alternative theories to utilitarianism, such as rights-based approaches, virtue ethics, or moral relativism.

Nevertheless, this book is an intellectually stimulating and thought-provoking read that prompts a reconsideration of one's moral perspectives and decision-making processes. It represents a valuable contribution to the field of ethics and offers practical guidance for navigating everyday life. While it may not be a flawless system, it constitutes a commendable endeavour towards making sound decisions and striving for correctness in our choices.

[Nicholas Whyte]

http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1252752.html[return][return]I know the author from our shared careers as political activists and operators, but this book is entirely about ethics, attempting to establish a universal code of how to make the right decision. Ethics and politics are not always considered in the same breath, but they are not far apart in their intellectual roots, and indeed my father was nominally professor of both at University College Dublin (they were put in the same department when the National University of Ireland was created, though I understand they have since been split).[return][return]King's book is entirely about ethics, and while he refers to earlier writers (such as Rawls in particular) he seems to be putting forward a new schema, taking the search for value in one's life as an axiom and working forward from there through empathy and obligation towards one's fellow human beings to the Help Principle, that we should help other is the value of our help to them is worth more than the cost of that help to us. The second half of the (short) book works through practical examples of this principle in politics, romance and law.[return][return]I am not well enough read in philosophy to know how original all of this is, let alone how fairly King represents the views of other philosophers, but it is a very attractive and comprehensible argument, told in a chatty but far from superficial style. It reminds me most of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, though without the motorcycles, and it possibly has the potential to become a similar cult classic with the right sort of marketing. (Certainly has a catchy title.)

[Sarah Tunney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw the author speak in Ottawa, he spoke very straightforwardly and said some very interesting things, so I bought his book. Almost finished (on Chapter 28 out of 40), and it is really inspiring. I can't judge his original theory as a proper philosopher might be able to, but Iain King is fantastic at expressing ideas in ways which appeal to someone who thinks more about cats than Socrates (like me).

He explains what the main philosophers said, and why their ideas were important, but without talking down to you. The things he wrote about charity really made me question what I do, and I loved his examples (like Sven). This is an excellent book for anyone who wants both an introduction to ethics (which is the study of 'right' and 'wrong' - hence the teasing title to this book) and is looking for some original thoughts. It is clever without making you feel stupid.

[Steven Barratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, original, and useful.

[Moona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iain King's How to Make Good Decisions and Be Right All the Time offers an ambitious approach to ethics, aiming to create a practical, almost scientific framework for moral decision-making. The book introduces readers to key concepts in moral philosophy, ranging from ancient Greek thought to more modern ideas. King’s main argument is that ethical decisions shouldn’t rely on subjective judgment or traditional principles but instead should follow clear formulas, much like the laws of physics.

What sets this book apart is its attempt to break away from established moral tenets, including the well-known Golden Rule. King challenges traditional ethical thinking and proposes a new system for navigating complex moral dilemmas in modern life. The book is clearly written, and while some of the ideas may be controversial, it succeeds in sparking thought-provoking discussions about how we approach right and wrong.

Ideal for readers interested in philosophy and those facing tough decisions, this book is a fresh take on ethics and is accessible enough for a general audience.

[Hank · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book, which explains the author's modified utilitarian point of view in plain language. It tackles many questions I have been asking myself.

However, I can't entirely agree with the author that his view is a readily applicable 'rule' in many ways.
Although he acknowledges the limitations in Chapter 39, the author does not regard the problem of information in real-world situations serious enough.
In many situations that ask for us to make tough decisions, we face uncertainty. We do not know the other's intentions, and we're uncertain, or incorrectly certain, that what I think is better for them is truly better than their own choice.

I will definitely reread the book.