Moral Courage

From the author of How Good People Make Tough Choices comes an insightful analysis of moral courage that explains how to see issues clearly, think for yourself, and put ethical thinking into action. In a values-challenged age, the difference between talking ethics and doing ethics can be summed up in two words: moral courage. Building on the success of the author's earlier book, How Good People Make Tough Choices, Moral Courage presents a structure for implementing those choices. But what is moral courage, how does it work, and how do we get it? This book is rooted in current news and based on extensive research into the stories of leaders, whistleblowers, and ordinary individuals. It explains moral courage as the intersection of three vectors: overarching principles, awareness of risk, and endurance of hardship. It explores some litmus-test questions for our actions, including: Is the risk proportional to the benefit? Am I motivated by principle, or just by pride in my own personal beliefs? Will my actions create collateral damage among those with no stake in the outcome? Finally, it examines ways ethical cultures can foster clear, values-based decision-making where courage is saved for big issues because it's less needed for everyday living. This is not a book about abstract moral philosophy, but rather the moral courage of practical, applied leadership. Praise for Moral Courage: "Kidder offers practical guidelines for a coherent and mindful approach to ethical dilemmas ... a brilliant analysis that squarely faces all the issues and can be grasped by the thoughtful non-specialist." - Kirkus ReviewsKidder, Rushworth M. is the author of 'Moral Courage ', published 2006 under ISBN 9780060591564 and ISBN 0060591560.