Overview

This book explores the ethical and psychological dilemmas connected to the lived experiences of love, uniquely proposing an ethical framework that can be applied in loving relationships. The book provides an introduction to the study of ethics, moral psychology, and ancient philosophy. Examining key themes of love, such as unconditional love, romantic love, anger, desperation, and fairness, this book offers the reader a way to exercise and strengthen their personal critical thinking on ethical dilemmas, especially in relation to loving feelings. The author believes that ethics is the heart of love in the same way as logic is the brain of reasoning; we do not need ethics to love but we can love in a much healthier way if we train our ethical skills to love. After laying the theoretical framework for the book, chapters are organized into themes relating to ethical problems and begin with an exemplary piece from Greek and Latin literature. Using these writings as a starting point, Susi Ferrarello discusses whether it is possible to have a sound ethical theory of love, especially in cases relating to justice, despair, and rage, and demonstrates how this framework can be applied in new and established relationships. Filled with case studies throughout, spiritual exercises are listed at the end of chapters to help the reader increase their understanding of love and their ethical choices surrounding emotional dilemmas. This interdisciplinary book is essential reading for undergraduate and graduate students who take classes on ethics, marriage and family therapy, psychology, philosophy, classics, ancient philosophy, and politics, as well as those interested in the ethics of love and emotional decision-making.

Full Product Details

9781032118192

Table of Contents

Reviews

In a world filled with superficial portrayals of love and ethics, Susi Ferrarello beautifully engages their intricacies. The Ethics of Love pushes the reader to think more deeply about anger, choice, tragedy, unconditionality, and meaning. Ferrarello's use of case illustrations, classic literature, practical application, and reflective exercises make the book accessible and highly enjoyable. I highly recommend it! Louis Hoffman, PhD Licensed Psychologist and Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Humanistic Counseling and Psychological Association Editor, Humansitic Approaches to Multiculturalism and Diversity Dr. Ferrarello's The Ethics of Love is an elegant and meaningful exploration. She uses mythology, philosophy and relatable case examples interwoven to facilitate an exploration of themes associated with the suffering, pleasure and power of love. Throughout, the reader becomes acquainted with the universality and nuances of love and the ethical responsibility we all have in our treatment of those who are close to us. Ferrarello's command in depth and breadth of sources and her creativity in bringing them together is a delight. It is a treasure - integrating a rich tapestry of philosophy, myth and clinical work that is thought-provoking, relatable, and engaging throughout. Nicolle Zapien, PhD, LMFT Professor, California Institute of Integral Studies Candidate, Psychoanalytic Institute of Northern California What can we learn from ancient philosophy and, especially, from Greek mythology? A practical way of life. In this extraordinarybook, Susi Ferrarello brings the reader through a journey of myths and persons, human experiences and philosophical interrogations, in search of the meaning of every form of love. Through the stories of her clients, the author unveils the ethical framework of every affective relationship, recalling not merely the vulnerability of human being, but also her resilient ability to stand for what matters in life. Francesca Brencio, Philosopher (University of Seville, Spain)

In a world filled with superficial portrayals of love and ethics, Susi Ferrarello beautifully engages their intricacies. The Ethics of Love pushes the reader to think more deeply about anger, choice, tragedy, unconditionality, and meaning. Ferrarello's use of case illustrations, classic literature, practical application, and reflective exercises make the book accessible and highly enjoyable. I highly recommend it! Louis Hoffman, PhD, Licensed Psychologist and Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Humanistic Counseling and Psychological Association; Editor, Humanistic Approaches to Multiculturalism and Diversity Dr Ferrarello's The Ethics of Love is an elegant and meaningful exploration. She uses mythology, philosophy and relatable case examples interwoven to facilitate an exploration of themes associated with the suffering, pleasure and power of love. Throughout, the reader becomes acquainted with the universality and nuances of love and the ethical responsibility we all have in our treatment of those who are close to us. Ferrarello's command in depth and breadth of sources and her creativity in bringing them together is a delight. It is a treasure-integrating a rich tapestry of philosophy, myth, and clinical work that is thought-provoking, relatable, and engaging throughout. Nicolle Zapien, PhD, LMFT, Professor, California Institute of Integral Studies; Candidate, Psychoanalytic Institute of Northern California What can we learn from ancient philosophy and, especially, from Greek mythology? A practical way of life. In this extraordinarybook, Susi Ferrarello brings the reader through a journey of myths and persons, human experiences, and philosophical interrogations, in search of the meaning of every form of love. Through the stories of her clients, the author unveils the ethical framework of every affective relationship, recalling not merely the vulnerability of human being, but also her resilient ability to stand for what matters in life. Francesca Brencio, Philosopher,University of Seville, Spain

In a world filled with superficial portrayals of love and ethics, Susi Ferrarello beautifully engages their intricacies. The Ethics of Love pushes the reader to think more deeply about anger, choice, tragedy, unconditionality, and meaning. Ferrarello's use of case illustrations, classic literature, practical application, and reflective exercises make the book accessible and highly enjoyable. I highly recommend it! Louis Hoffman, PhD, Licensed Psychologist and Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Humanistic Counseling and Psychological Association; Editor, Humansitic Approaches to Multiculturalism and Diversity Dr. Ferrarello's The Ethics of Love is an elegant and meaningful exploration. She uses mythology, philosophy and relatable case examples interwoven to facilitate an exploration of themes associated with the suffering, pleasure and power of love. Throughout, the reader becomes acquainted with the universality and nuances of love and the ethical responsibility we all have in our treatment of those who are close to us. Ferrarello's command in depth and breadth of sources and her creativity in bringing them together is a delight. It is a treasure - integrating a rich tapestry of philosophy, myth and clinical work that is thought-provoking, relatable, and engaging throughout. Nicolle Zapien, PhD, LMFT, Professor, California Institute of Integral Studies; Candidate, Psychoanalytic Institute of Northern California What can we learn from ancient philosophy and, especially, from Greek mythology? A practical way of life. In this extraordinarybook, Susi Ferrarello brings the reader through a journey of myths and persons, human experiences and philosophical interrogations, in search of the meaning of every form of love. Through the stories of her clients, the author unveils the ethical framework of every affective relationship, recalling not merely the vulnerability of human being, but also her resilient ability to stand for what matters in life. Francesca Brencio, Philosopher,University of Seville, Spain

In a world filled with superficial portrayals of love and ethics, Susi Ferrarello beautifully engages their intricacies. The Ethics of Love pushes the reader to think more deeply about anger, choice, tragedy, unconditionality, and meaning. Ferrarello's use of case illustrations, classic literature, practical application, and reflective exercises make the book accessible and highly enjoyable. I highly recommend it! Louis Hoffman, PhD, Licensed Psychologist and Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Humanistic Counseling and Psychological Association; Editor, Humanistic Approaches to Multiculturalism and Diversity Dr Ferrarello's The Ethics of Love is an elegant and meaningful exploration. She uses mythology, philosophy, and relatable case examples interwoven to facilitate an exploration of themes associated with the suffering, pleasure, and power of love. Throughout, the reader becomes acquainted with the universality and nuances of love and the ethical responsibility we all have in our treatment of those who are close to us. Ferrarello's command in depth and breadth of sources and her creativity in bringing them together is a delight. It is a treasure-integrating a rich tapestry of philosophy, myth, and clinical work that is thought-provoking, relatable, and engaging throughout. Nicolle Zapien, PhD, LMFT, Professor, California Institute of Integral Studies; Candidate, Psychoanalytic Institute of Northern California What can we learn from ancient philosophy and, especially, from Greek mythology? A practical way of life. In this extraordinarybook, Susi Ferrarello brings the reader through a journey of myths and persons, human experiences, and philosophical interrogations, in search of the meaning of every form of love. Through the stories of her clients, the author unveils the ethical framework of every affective relationship, recalling not merely the vulnerability of human beings, but also her resilient ability to stand for what matters in life. Francesca Brencio, Philosopher,University of Seville, Spain

Author Information

Susi Ferrarello is assistant professor at California State University, East Bay. She is also a philosophical counselor and writes for Psychology Today. Among her recent books are Human Emotions and the Origin of Bioethics (Routledge, 2021) and The Role of Bioethics in Emotional Problems (Routledge, 2021).

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available