Official Review: The (First) 4 Maxims of Social Conservat...

[Kappy]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The (First) 4 Maxims of Social Conservatism" by "WE".]

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4 out of 4 stars

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The (First) 4 Maxims of Social Conservatism (2015), by "WE," is a fascinating nonfiction e-book. It focuses on how you can find true happiness, and features the following topics: family breakdown, economic dependence and vulnerability, happiness versus pleasure, self-centered lifestyles, sacrifice and self-giving, hedonic adaptation, abstract self-awareness, the elements of human nature, and the different types of love. The authors cite numerous recent scientific studies to support their views, and include 241 easily accessible endnotes, which comprise about one-third of the book.

These days, the mainstream media and various other outlets bombard us with lies and half-truths. People and organizations who try to persuade you of something often have a hidden agenda. At first glance, you could easily conclude that this book is such an example, especially since the authors are unnamed. Are the authors really who they claim to be?

They state that they are just regular folks, with various backgrounds, who were all raised in the USA and currently live there. They are highly critical of the failure of social conservatives (e.g., conservative Christians and orthodox Jews) to effect beneficial societal changes, and are particularly scornful of big business, so it is easy to believe that the authors are indeed who they claim to be.

Maxim #1 concerns family breakdown and out-of-control government spending in the USA since the late 1960's. The authors develop a compelling argument that widespread family breakdown is the most significant cause of the spending explosion. In the remainder of the book, the authors address the more important issue of what has caused such pervasive family breakdown.

Maxims #2 and #3, which are closely linked, relate to enduring happiness versus fleeting pleasures. The authors lambast pop culture and big business (e.g., advertising, television, movies, video games), comparing them to drug pushers who seek to get you addicted to their products and take your money, with no regard for your long-term happiness. Their scathing censure of a multi-trillion-dollar industrial complex may be why they remain anonymous. They delve deeply into the crucial fundamental issue of how you can achieve genuine happiness.

Maxim #4 pertains to the relationship of genetics and biology to selfish behavior. Here, the authors speak to people who disdain old-fashioned conservative lifestyles, and are skeptical that such a way of life would be enjoyable. The discussion focuses largely on human nature, which is classified into five basic motives.

This book has easily earned 4 out of 4 stars. The authors give you a superb practical treatise, and take you on a captivating journey, using logic, history, science, common sense, and a classic movie, "It's a Wonderful Life." They write clearly, the book is extremely well organized, and the grammatical errors are insubstantial. If you sometimes think the world has gone mad and common sense has become extinct, and you are sick to death of the media's efforts to control you, you will find this book to be a refreshing change of pace. This is a great book for people from all walks of life, rich or poor, old or young, who seek to attain long-term happiness and make the world a better place to live.

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The (First) 4 Maxims of Social Conservatism
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Like Kappy's review? Post a comment saying so!

[gali]

Interesting review! I am glad you found the book rewarding.

[bookowlie]

Nice review. The book seems like it is jam-packed and well researched.

[JG Maggio]

Hello Kappy. I'm J.G. Maggio, a member of "WE", the group who penned, "The (First) 4 Maxims of Social Conservatism." I am the outreach representative for that group (and the individual who made the review request). We thank you very much for your thoughts. We're honored by your rating, and excited that you liked the book so much!

It's great to be at Online Book Club. We came here to get an official book review, and just as important, the thoughts of readers who might be interested. We hope that potential readers will not be thrown off by our book title if they don't like politics or political issues, or if they consider themselves to be partisan, and not interested in the "other side of the story."

A note to potential readers: a very small portion of the book is about politics. In fact, a major theme of our book is that social conservatives are too hung up with politics, trying to legislate their views, rather than trying to persuade of the merits of their views using objective standards. That's what we try to do in this book -- use objective standards such as logic, science, and history persuade the merits of certain points of view.

We hope potential readers give the book a chance with an open mind. We're curious what you have to say. Thank you.

[Heidi M Simone]

Nice review! I'm not sure if this book is for me, but I did enjoy reading your review!

[jazahm]

The review is spot on. I also found the book to be very well organized and carefully cited. The logical arguments, backed up by Social statistics, make it easy to persuade others to consider the premise here. We need more political ideas to be presented with logic, as this ebook does, rather than emotion, if we are to change our society for the better.

[Tanaya]

The drug pushers analogy caught my attention. I'm certainly intrigued by the premise of this book. Awesome review.

[Ramona]

As someone else said, "I'm not sure if this book is for me," but you wrote a great review. And before I could comment further on the book, to be fair, I would have to read it! Some of the things you mentioned that are covered in it, I might find myself agreeing with on some level, at least. Other things I might be a bit leery of, but that being said, it sounds like the authors have made good cases for their points. And I appreciate that one of the authors was/is willing to jump into this discussion! Thank you, J. G. Maggio, for doing so. And thank you, Kappy, for the interesting review!

[LivreAmour217]

Great review! This sounds like a very well-organized and well-researched book. Thank you for sharing it with us, I will definitely add to my list!

[rachel_bruhn]

I feel like this is either a book I would love or hate. Politically, I find myself most aligned with the Libertarian beliefs. My personal beliefs tend to be more conservative, but overall I think people should be free to make their own choices without much governmental influence or control. I do feel that society is largely influenced by media, which only shows what it wants people to see. I am a big fan of conspiracy theories, because I do believe that our government hides things from us. That being said, I don't think religion/Christianity is the way to fix all the problems of the world. Without reading the book, I can't tell if I would agree with the arguments presented or formulate my own arguments against it. Being a fan of debate....I am seriously tempted to pick it up either way!

[Kappy]

Nice review. The book seems like it is jam-packed and well researched.

Thanks. Your summation is correct.

-- 27 Oct 2015, 12:22 --

Nice review! I'm not sure if this book is for me, but I did enjoy reading your review!

Thanks. But I'm a bit curious regarding why you don't think this book is for you.

-- 27 Oct 2015, 12:24 --

The review is spot on.... We need more political ideas to be presented with logic, as this ebook does, rather than emotion, if we are to change our society for the better.

Well said, but I felt that the book bypassed politics, and speaks to everyone.

[JG Maggio]

Great conversation everyone. Hope the comments keep on coming.

rachel -- I, of course, hope you do decide to give the book a try (speaking as one of the book's authors). I thought you might find some of the following language, pulled from the Introduction, helpful in response to your thoughts:

"We’re not attempting to get government or anyone else to force anyone to do anything. How many of the thoughts and ideas in this book you already hold, or eventually adopt as your own, is obviously up to you. The Maxims simply aim to raise issues. Information is their overarching goal."

"The 4 Maxims is not a religious or a faith-based book. At the same time, it’s not an anti-religion or anti-faith book. It’s simply not about faith or any particular religious tradition. For example, while conclusions we draw may be in-line with certain faith teachings (and not in-line with others), we do not rely on religious texts or traditions to make arguments or reach any of our conclusions."

"Logic, history and science form the foundation of The 4 Maxims. For each Maxim of Social Conservatism, the actual Maxim is stated in a single paragraph up front in bold print. Next comes the supporting rationale for that Maxim, broken down into short chapters (a page or two), which cite materials contained in endnotes. Throughout the rationale for each Maxim, we start with simple, straightforward concepts, and then build upon those concepts using logic and/or history, and evidence from the physical or social sciences. Each rationale ultimately strives to base conclusions on this science, history, and logic – not emotion or a predetermined agenda."

Thanks, everyone. J.G Maggio on behalf of "WE"

[chytach18-]

Great review, Kappy. The book seems to be my cup of tea.

[rachel_bruhn]

Thanks for sharing JG! I am even more intrigued now and will definitely add this of my list of books to read!

[Rachaelamb1]

Very interesting review. I love that the book's primary focus is not on politics.