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Pagan Ethics

Paganism as a World Religion

  • Book
  • © 2016

Overview

Authors:
  1. Michael York

    1. Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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  • The first comprehensive presentation of contemporary, classical and indigenous pagan ethics

  • Offers an expansion to traditional ways of thinking and behavioural patterns as well as a progressive way of life in the pursuit of happiness and collective sanity

  • Deals with ethics from a pagan perspective with regard to offering possible solutions commensurate with a balanced and sustainable global future

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Table of contents (16 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xiii
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  2. Introduction

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
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    2. Overview

      • Michael York
      Pages 3-21

    3. Idolatry and Ethics

      • Michael York
      Pages 23-36

  3. The Western Ethical Tradition

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 37-37
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    2. The Classical Divide

      • Michael York
      Pages 39-61

    3. The Ancient World

      • Michael York
      Pages 63-94

    4. The Western Philosophical Tradition

      • Michael York
      Pages 95-115

    5. Friedrich Nietzsche

      • Michael York
      Pages 117-139

    6. Post-Nietzsche

      • Michael York
      Pages 141-165

  4. The Quest for an Applied Pagan Ethics

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 167-167
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    2. Virtue Ethics

      • Michael York
      Pages 169-179

    3. The Pagan Quadrivium

      • Michael York
      Pages 181-218

    4. The Trivium of Worship

      • Michael York
      Pages 219-253

  5. Moral Issues from a Pagan Perspective

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 255-255
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    2. Same-Sex Unions and Recreational Drugs

      • Michael York
      Pages 257-275

    3. Terrorism and Death Issues

      • Michael York
      Pages 277-309

    4. Hegemony and Environment

      • Michael York
      Pages 311-342

  6. The Ethical Conversation

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 343-343
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    2. Pagan Ethics vis-à-vis the Western Ethical Tradition

      • Michael York
      Pages 345-366
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Keywords

About this book

This book is the first comprehensive examination of the ethical parameters of paganism when considered as a world religion alongside Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism. The issues of evil, value and idolatry from a pagan perspective are analyzed as part of the Western ethical tradition from the Sophists and Platonic schools through the philosophers Spinoza, Hume, Kant and Nietzsche to such contemporary thinkers as Grayling, Mackie, MacIntyre, Habermas, Levinas, Santayana, etc. From a more practical viewpoint, a delineation of applied pagan ethics is then presented in connection with current moral issues such as same-sex union, recreational drugs, environmental awareness, abortion and terrorism. Finally, overviews of sectarian pagan ethics (Shinto, Santeria, Heathenism, Druidry, Romuva, Slavic, Kemeticism, Classical and Wicca) provide both the general and pagan reader with an understanding of the provocative range and differentiation of pagan ethical thought. The book approaches the Western ethical tradition as an historical development and a continuing dialogue. The novelty of this approach lies in its consideration of paganism as a legitimate voice of religious spirituality rather than a satanic aberration or ridiculous childish behavior. The book is aimed at both the contemporary Western pagan and anyone with an interest in the moral dilemmas of our times and the desire to engage in the global ethical discussion. Among the more important features of the book are its presentation of a re-evaluation of idolatry, the notion of the virtue value, the richness of the pagan tradition, and the expansion of Western ethics beyond its Christian heritage.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Michael York

About the author

Michael York is Professor of Cultural Astronomy and Astrology (Bath Spa University), Co-Director of the Academy for Cultural and Educational Studies (London), Instructor with Cherry Hill Seminary, former Chair of Contemporary Pagan Studies (American Academy of Religion), and author of Pagan Theology: Paganism as a World Religion.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Pagan Ethics

  • Book Subtitle: Paganism as a World Religion

  • Authors: Michael York

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18923-9

  • Publisher: Springer Cham

  • eBook Packages: Religion and Philosophy, Philosophy and Religion (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-319-18922-2Published: 18 August 2015

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-3-319-36208-3Published: 22 October 2016

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-319-18923-9Published: 05 August 2015

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XIII, 435

  • Topics: Religious Studies, general, Ethics, Sociology of Culture

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