While some people are content to discuss theological and philosophical questions for long periods of time, others impatiently demand a practical discussion of the immediate moral dilemmas of their everyday lives. This demand for simple, “to the point” answers can be seen in the work of Robert Ringer. In his viewpoint, Ringer states that it is possible to find “a simple, uncomplicated life” by simply “looking out for number one.” Ringer explains that we need to reject all traditional values and morals which others impose on us. We should rationally seek our own happiness. He has confidence that if everyone followed his simple formula for life, we would find social harmony as well as personal pleasure.

In contrast to Ringer’s approach to morality, Paul Brown- back writes that we should avoid focusing on...