From 3 to 93, every man and woman, the stranger you meet on the street and your most intimate friend, rich and poor, black, brown, and white, liberal and conservative, godfearer and avowed atheist, famous and unknown, and athlete to artist - everyone agrees on one issue. We all operate from a moral perspective. This is the premise of Shoot the Monkey and is the element that gives it such universal appeal.
We each believe our own moral perspective is based upon good and just principles. Furthermore, this moral perspective defines how we live our lives on a daily basis. Yet for something so universally influential and so firmly embraced by each of us, we rarely stop to ask the searching questions about our moral foundations. We assume our moral positions to be correct without examining the foundations upon which they are built.
Shoot the Monkey takes the reader on a fun path of self exploration. This work skillfully weaves science, sociology, and pop culture together with humor, philosophy, and the unending display of varied moral perspectives at play in our culture. Most of these examples are drawn from the famous and infamous newsmakers of our day.
The author draws liberally from his training in the sciences to take the reader through three movements. The first movement, "Mapping the Helix," enables the reader to see the magnificent accomplishments of the scientists who explore and understand our composition at the physical level. The second movement, "Splitting the Helix," respectfully acknowledges that the scientist, in applying his scientific method, has self imposed limitations upon his understanding of what it means to be human. The third movement, "'Splainin' theHelix," clarifies the significant implications of our perceptions of our moral foundations.
As the reader wanders through twists and turns, he will at times find himself laughing out loud at the unexpected injection of humor into such a weighty topic. He will also find himself wondering just where this thing will wind up. When he is done, he will have discovered either anew or for the first time his own understanding of the source of his moral perceptions. He will also gain a solid grasp as to the significant implications of the perspective he holds.
Shoot the Monkey does not seek to force the author's moral perspective upon its readers. Instead, it is designed to help the reader explore why they believe what they believe so that they can live out their perceptions with greater clarity and confidence.
Its appeal is universal. Its style is controversial. Its conclusions are incontrovertible. It's a read and a ride well worth taking.