The American paradox : spiritual hunger in an age of plenty / David G. Myers ; foreword by Martin E. Marty.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Myers, David G.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Social ethics--United States.

Social ethics.

United States--Moral conditions.

United States.

United States--Social conditions.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (430 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New Haven ; London : Yale Nota Bene, 2001.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

For Americans entering the twenty-first century, it is the best of times and the worst of times. Material wealth is at record levels, yet disturbing social problems reflect a deep spiritual poverty. In this compelling book, well-known social psychologist David G. Myers asks how this paradox has come to be and, more important, how we can spark social renewal and dream a new American dream. Myers explores the research on social ills from the 1960's through the 1990's and concludes that the materialism and radical individualism of this period have cost us dearly, imperiling our children, corroding general civility, and diminishing our happiness. However, in the voices of public figures and ordinary citizens he now hears a spirit of optimism. The national dialogue is shifting-away from the expansion of personal rights and toward enhancement of communal civility, away from efforts to raise self-esteem and toward attempts to arouse social responsibility, away from "whose values?" and toward "our values." Myers analyzes in detail the research on educational and other programs that deal with social problems, explaining which seem to work and why. He then offers positive and well-reasoned advice, suggesting that a renewed social ecology for America will rest on policies that balance "me thinking" with "we thinking."

Contents:

Front matter

Contents

Foreword

Preface

1. The Best of Times, the Worst of Times

2. The Sexual Swing

3. The Past and Future of Marriage

4. America's Children

5. Violence

6. Money and Misery

7. Individualism and Community

8. Media, Minds, and the Public Good

9. Educating for a Moral Compass

10. Faith and Society

Epilogue

Notes

Index

Notes:

Originally published: New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 2000.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 24. Apr 2020)

ISBN:

9786611722333

9781281722331

1281722332

9780300130294

0300130295

OCLC:

952734402