Pagan Ethics, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2016
Paganism as a World Religion

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.

Part I: Introduction.- Chapter 1: Overview.- Chapter 2: Idolatry and Ethics.- Part II: The Western Ethical Tradition.- Chapter 3: The Classical Divide.- Chapter 4: The Ancient World. - Chapter 5: The Western Philosophical Tradition .- Chapter 6: Nietzsche.- Chapter 7: Post-Nietzsche.- Part III: The Quest for an Applied Pagan Ethics.- Chapter 8: Virtue Ethics.- Chapter 9: The Pagan Quadrivium.- Chapter 10: The Trivium of Worship.- Part IV: Moral Issues from a Pagan Perspective.- Chapter 11: Same-Sex Unions and Recreational Drugs.- Chapter 12: Hegemony and Environment.- Chapter 13: Terrorism and Death Issues.- Part V: The Ethical Conversation.- Chapter 14: Pagan Ethics vis-à-vis the Western Ethical Tradition.- Chapter 15: Contemporary sectarian pagan ethics.- Chapter 16: Conclusion.- Bibliography.

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.