Our ecological dilemmas provoke powerful emotions and deeply contested views. How should we think about them? And how can we live together, or even talk together, when we cannot listen to people who think differently? In a lively and at times very funny book, Roger S. Gottlieb ( A Greener Faith, This Sacred Earth, A Spirituality of Resistance ) explores these questions in a collection of distinct but related philosophical short stories. Fictional characters with personalities, individual histories, and strong opinions wrestle with the meaning of life, the value of nature, animal rights, the roles of science and religion in environmentalism, and political choices facing environmental activists--as well as their own anger, fear, despair, and close-mindedness. Encountering forcefully articulated positions and engaging characters, readers will be moved to reconsider their own beliefs--and to examine personal barriers to truly listening to those "on the other side." Engaging Voices would stand as a useful text even without the current climate of political stubbornness. For students, it provides an accessible introduction to a broad range of issues and ideas in the field of environmental ethics... for those already more familiar with these ideas, it provides a reminder that gaining wisdom does not imply deducing the ''right'' answers to sticky questions, but rather approaching those questions with humility and openness. -- Richard Plate ― Capitalism Nature Socialism Gottlieb (A Greener Faith) carefully crafts morality tales that champion disparate yet constructive voices while still giving a platform to the myopic dissenters. While the characters' sole purpose is to facilitate these kinds of dialogues, the author's curious approach is a refreshing way to 'engage' in these debates. ― Publishers Weekly, Current Fiction Reviews In this heart-opening and beautifully-written book, Roger Gottlieb shares moving stories of profound difference that reflect the urgent challenge of creating a moral community. Engaging Voices invites us to experience how opening ourselves to what others have to say--especially those we fundamentally disagree with--tests our moral courage in ways that accelerate inner growth, and provide pathways for improving our collective lives. -- Paul Wapner, Associate Professor and Director of the Global Environmental Politics Program, American University, and author of Living through the End of Nature: The Future of American Environmentalism Understanding moral conflict and nonviolent communication Roger S. Gottlieb is Professor of Philosophy at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. A contributing editor to Tikkun and a prolific author, his most recent books include A Greener Faith: Religious Environmentalism and Our Planet's Future , The Oxford Handbook of Religion and Ecology , and A Spirituality of Resistance: Finding a Peaceful Heart and Protecting the Earth . He lives in Worcester, Massachusetts. "And here Wendy was quite clear: if the cleanup helps the animals, fine. But we don’t do it for the animals; we only do it for the people. Only people count. Is that the way we all feel?" Richard could hear the impatience in Erica’s voice. "This ain’t your seminar, Doc, so don’t start with questions for everybody else. What do you think?" "Me? Oh, I don’t know," he sighed, as if he couldn’t carry a heavy weight any further. "I try to love the oak trees and my neighbor both. In a way, the oak tree is my neighbor as much as old Mr. Taubman who lives next door or that gorgeous widow Sarah Griffith who lives across the street. I don’t see why we can’t all get along. "Mostly I hate the waste, the stupidity. Why do we have to choose between cleaning up the ghetto and saving the polar bears? Who says that’s the choice? Who? Maybe we could do both and skip the new bombers or the new makeup or a whole season of American Idol." He opened his eyes wide in mock horror. -- adapted from an excerpt from Chapter Two Used Book in Good Condition