The power of ideals : the real story of moral choice

Resource Information

The work The power of ideals : the real story of moral choice represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in University of Missouri Libraries. This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Language Material, Books.

Label

The power of ideals : the real story of moral choice

Title remainder

the real story of moral choice

Statement of responsibility

William Damon and Anne Colby

Creator

• Damon, William, 1944-

Contributor

• Colby, Anne, 1946-

Author

• Damon, William, 1944-
• Colby, Anne, 1946-

Subject

• Moral development
• PSYCHOLOGY / Social Psychology
• Ethics
• Leaders

Language

eng

Summary

• "Cynicism often seems a smarter choice than idealism. There are reasons for this. Politicians have disappointed us time and again; trusted institutions have proven to be self-serving and corrupt; hopes for lasting world peace repeatedly have been dashed; and social inequities persist and increase, unabated by even the grandest of charitable efforts. It is now considered foolish to think that people can be counted on to rise above their narrow self-interests to serve the broader good, or to tell the truth if it does not reflect well on the self. Supporting this bleak view of the human condition is a moral psychology that has taken increasingly cynical turns in recent years. Famous studies have shown that we have an almost unlimited potential for cruelty when placed in the wrong situations. The Power of Ideals presents a different vision, supported by a different kind of evidence. It examines the lives and work of six 20th century moral leaders who pursued moral causes ranging from world peace to social justice and human rights. Using these six cases to illustrate how people can make choices guided by their moral convictions, rather than by base emotion or social pressures, authors William Damon and Anne Colby explore the workings of three virtues: inner truthfulness, humility, and faith. Through their portrayal of the noble lives of moral leaders, the authors argue that all of us--with ordinary lives--can exercise control over important life decisions and pursue ideals that we believe in"--
• "The Power of Ideals examines the lives and work of six 20th century moral leaders who pursued moral causes ranging from world peace to social justice and human rights and uses these six cases to show how people can make choices guided by their moral ideals rather than by base emotion or social pressures"--

Assigning source

• Provided by publisher
• Provided by publisher

Cataloging source

DLC

Dewey number

155.2/5

Index

index present

LC call number

BF723.M54

LC item number

D363 2015

Literary form

non fiction

Nature of contents

bibliography