Author(s): Al Gini

Philosophy

Al Gini explores just how difficult it is to do the right thing in his engaging new book, "Why it's Hard to be Good". It is not only individuals who are faced with ethical issues on a daily basis, but businesses too and both are bound together by the same dilemma: how to choose the right thing to do and then do it? In a series of short chapters, Ali Gini lays down ideas for 'stepping out of the shadow of the self' - an argument for stopping thinking of yourself as the centre of the universe. It's hard to be good, he explains, until we realize that being good only has meaning in relation to other people. Ideas of justice, fairness and ethical behaviour are merely abstract ideas until they are put into action with regard to people outside ourselves. He goes on to argue that we may worry too much about good versus evil and that we instead need to be thinking about how being good involves an active relationship towards others. Being good all by yourself may not be good enough. This poignant and revelatory account is essential reading for anyone who wants to know how to use ethical thinking as a way to live, work and be with others.