Poverty and Morality: Religious and Secular Perspectives

by William A. Galston (Editor), Peter H. Hoffenberg (Editor)

This multiauthored book explores how many influential ethical traditions – secular and religious, Western and non-Western – wrestle with the moral dimensions of poverty and the needs of the poor. These traditions include Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism, among the religious perspectives; classical liberalism, feminism, liberal-egalitarianism, and Marxism, among the secular; and natural law, which might be claimed by both. The basic questions addressed by each of these traditions are linked to several overarching what poverty is, the particular vulnerabilities of high-risk groups, responsibility for the occurrence of poverty, preferred remedies, how responsibility for its alleviation is distributed, and priorities in the delivery of assistance. These essays are preceded by a background chapter on the types, scope, and causes of poverty in the modern world and some contemporary strategies for eliminating it. The volume concludes with Michael Walzer’s broadly conceived commentary, which provides a direct comparison of the presented views and makes suggestions for further study and policy.

330 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2010

Reviews

[Phillip Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very enjoyable and intellectually stimulating book. The book is composed of a variety of essays that deal with the issue of poverty from various philosophical, religious and secular perspectives. Ranging from Christianity to Confucianism to natural law as expounded on by thinkers like Aquinas and las Casas, it definitely covers the multiple meanings and ways in which a person should view poverty - and deal with it. Definitely a must read for anyone interested in learning more about poverty.