Achieving Moral Health, An Exercise Plan for your Conscience




	Book Review		Achieving Moral Health An Exercise Plan for your Conscience Charles M. Shelton, Ph.D. 239 pages Crossroad, 2000 $18.95 See Amazon's discounted price From the Publisher Moral fitness requires the same commitment and attention as physical fitness. The key to moral health is winning the daily struggle to maintain control of personal consciousness against the onslaught of the stress and mindless routine of daily life. Inviting the readers to confront what it means to live a good life, Shelton identifies the dimensions of conscience that we must cultivate to ensure moral fitness. About the Author Charles Shelton, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of Psychology at Regis College in Denver and licensed psychologist in private practice. He is an internationally known consultant, lecturer, and workshop facilitator, and has authored several books, including Morality of the Heart. Review Dr. Charles Shelton presents his unique perspective into the subject of personal moral conscience, which he proposes to be “this most defining feature of our humanity.” In this work Shelton defines humans as moral beings whose consciences are shaped by the learning and life experiences of our unique life histories. He further observes that our conscience is dynamic, not static, and must constantly recognize and react to new situations, which, while challenging us, can lead to personal moral growth and new insights. Just as we exercise our bodies and intellects, he urges us to similarly develop an exercise plan for our moral lives. Otherwise, moral fitness declines, moral entropy sets in, and we tend to slide downwards to moral laxity. As an antidote to moral apathy Shelton outlines a scholarly view of his “Seven Dimensions of Conscience” and includes a simple four step daily inventory aimed at achieving a constant nurturing of moral conscience. His personal philosophy, woven throughout the text, gives ample evidence that he not only articulates the dream of an ever-escalating moral conscience, but also lives one as well. This book should be read and used as a resource by corporate and institutional leaders in every form of endeavor, as its core understanding underpins any contemplation or dialogue regarding ethics. In our culture today, when the lack of traditional values and movement towards excessive self-focus and individualism seems rampant, this work of Dr. Shelton’s holds out hope for our American Society to achieve some common ground of understanding and agreement on higher standards of moral behavior. —Patrick M. Quinn Retired President & CEO of Spartan Stores Inc. order † Back to the Top

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