Ten Universal Principles: A Brief Philosophy of the Life Issues

As I seek materials to recommend to others in my writings on my site, I find a very few which I would recommend at the highest. That means they have to have fact-based, well-reasoned, effective thinking that is understandable and "learnable" by others who are "non-experts".Fr Spitzer puts forth the full reasoning of the principles that form the basis of life, from ethics and their whys to "what works" for the human good. (Human good is the unarguable purpose of it all, whether an atheist or a "person of faith". I, myself, am not at all religious but I find the application of the principles to be consistent with the ultimate value of a life.)It is clear how each person and "the state" should treat others - if the government was run on these principles, it would be much more effective.On an individual level, understanding and adhering to the principles will contribute to a person's greater effectiveness in life, where effectiveness is defined as living a richer, more meaningful life of greater happiness.I was quite pleased to see this basic view, which is consistent with the view of L.S. Barksdale, one of my top "mentors": "Every human being (or group of human beings) deserves to be valued according to the full level of human development, not according to the level of development currently achieved." Based on that, I fully value each person, knowing that their level of achieving their potential is due to their circumstances in life so far - and that, if "sufficient" new information and sources of motivation are introduced to each person's life, he can and will harvest that potential. Anyway, this subject cannot be developed in this review.I recommend you read the book and decide for yourself what to include in your own philosophical foundation for your life.Kahuna Keith

Fr. Spitzer does more for clear thinking in this short book than all the college philosophy classes I took combined; the readings for those classes would easily total to more than fifty times the pages in this volume, not including Being and Nothingness, which I never finished. Besides dealing with life issues in a careful and reasoned way, this work stands as a guide to the philosophical undergirding of the Western world. Fr. Spitzer's erudition never gets in the way of his expression of complex ideas, something that is not as common as one might think. From ethics to science to logic, Fr. Spitzer lays a foundation, block by block, for understanding the simple truth about complex issues. This remarkable book will delight those who know Fr. Spitzer's work; for those who do not, this work could be a revelation.

I am so deeply grateful for the information contained within this book. Many times, I have wanted to defend positions regarding life and the dignity of personhood but didn't have the insight or right words..From experience, I have found that just going the religious route of persuasion in our secular world doesn't work. People--even Catholics, immediately just tune out your words as the spewings of a religious fanatic. However, using the principles of reason, ethics, justice and natural rights, and identity and culture to prove the point leads to a much more reasoned and intelligent discussions.I am not an educated person so I also appreciated the text within the parentheses that is added throughout the book. It helps me understand more fully the points Fr. Spitzer is making.I'll be re-reading the book to cement the principles in my mind. An outstanding read!!!

My beloved father, God rest his soul, was a lifelong atheist. One of his favorite lines was, "When was the last time a priest asked you to THINK?"I wish he could have read this book, although it might have upset him.I have never read a more compelling destruction of "Roe vs. Wade" in my life, and I never thought very much of it at any time. (Way back when, I just wondered where those "wise men" found the word "privacy" in the Constitution, much less a "right to privacy" which was an obvious euphemism for a "right to kill the unborn.")But Fr. Spitzer does not even get involved with the obvious Constitutional problems with that decision. His attack is based on logic, philosophy, and natural rights, and it is devastating.Highly recommended reading!

I follow Father Spitzer podcast every week and love his knowledge. This book was essential in understanding myself and my family and also a great way to teach my grandkids.

If you've ever wanted a short primer on the key ethical concepts that govern nearly everything then this is the book for you. The writing is very clear, but also a thorough explanation of complex concepts. It has some great information about the difference between good and bad argument as well. It's definitely written from a religious perspective, but the reasoning is sound so that shouldn't matter.

This book is very helpful in thinking about the philosophical discussions surrounding the beginning of life and the implications which result from this. It is a good introduction to all the major issues concerning life e.g. when does life begin, when can a life be justly taken, the dignity of an actualizing life, etc. This book is good for anyone who wants to hear a good philosophical defense of life beginning at conception as well as thinking through the consequences of defining life at another point in human development.

I'm a young adult who likes to educate himself in a well-rounded manner. This book really, REALLY increased my basic knowledge of philosophy, pro-life arguments, and basic life principles. A short, but sweet read, Mr. Spitzer takes you through logic, evidence, and reasoning to back the principles he presents. This is done without the necessity of a certain religion, which makes it more available to non-Christians or non-religious folk.I learned a lot. I highlighted a lot. I found myself on dictionary.com a lot. But it was all worth it. I definitely recommend this book; I'll be buying it for my girlfriend.P.S. p.65 is my favorite!

Spitzer writes most effectively and comprehensively about very relevant issues such as human rights, abortion, euthanasia and similar. Considering the mess the world is in at the moment, it would be of very great value if many people read him and took careful note. It would make an enormous contribution contribution to human welfare. he is also very readable.

I can't recommend this book highly enough: it isn't a difficult read (16 year old is loving it and reading it for second time) but gets the brain cells going on issues we often take for granted or have stopped questioning ourselves about.Highly recommended.

brilliant!

I found this book precise,concise and discisive for people seeking the truth and shows one how to find it.It destroys the present day prevailing desructive and faulty reasoning of what has is called "the absolute dictatorship of relativism". In relativism there is no objective truth only one`s subjective opinion and/or one`s personal morality - and it all began with Descates` cogito ergo sum which initiated all subsequent , so-called, liberalism of modernist thinking now ingrained in western philosophical, political and moral intellectual miluie.This book is in the genre of what is termed Post-Modernism -right reasoning , (ie seeking objective truth) which is the right and logical process of living one`s life vis-a-vis our neighbours in society.This book is a return to herald mans` true objective dignity. All Human persons have the innate and inalienable rights to Life;liberty and property (or pursuit of happiness) in that order of priority. To find out more read the book!

v good