This 6 page report discusses the “moral crisis in America” as it is discussed by Jim Wallis in “The Soul of Politics” (1995), Bob Avakian in “Preaching from a Pulpit of Bones” (1999), and William Bennett’s anthology “The Book of Virtues” (1993). Each of the three point to the prevalence of Americans’ apparently unsatisfied desires for more things and less moral responsibility and compassion in simple daily actions. No secondary sources.
Name of Research Paper File: D0_BWmorlUS.rtf
Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
Arguments take place regarding whether or not the nation is in crisis because of the dissolution of the traditional nuclear family, the loss of religious emphasis in everyday life, the
crumbling justice system, or a variety of other social ills. While there appears to be a tolerance for religious, social, and political attitudes of all types throughout the country, the
fact remains that Americans are still caught up in numerous debates, misconceptions, and suspicions of one anothers life decisions. And yet, too few studies on culture and ethnicity in American
psychology honestly examine the limitations of American mainstream psychology. One limitation is a tendency to stress individualism as a primary and desirable.
Such attitudes present themselves time and time again in the pervading interest in areas of social psychology, abnormal psychology and individual differences. However, even the examinations of American psychology are
limited since researchers are often ethnocentrically biased and have developed fundamental prejudices or even subtle gradients of attitude about other cultures, ethnic or racial groups. Such attitudes have also
expanded to encompass attitudes related to physical disabilities and/or skills and capabilities. However, three modern authors have presented their opinions regarding the issue. Each presents a different view of
the "processes" or causes of moral decay in the United States. Jim Wallis "The Soul of Politics" presents his view that the signs of cultural breakdown and political stalemate
throughout America are calls to reintegrate spirituality with politics. He uses his own experiences in Washington, D.C. ghettos to illustrate how liberal and conservative politics have both failed in terms
of social justice and personal values. Bob Avakian relies on his broad-based political and theoretical experience that ranges from expertise on Mao Tse-tung, communism, and democracy in his discussion that