Interruption that liberates to love. On the positive potential of the ‘paradox of ethics’

In this contribution, I take Nicholas Adams’ discussion of the paradox of ethics as an occasion to further explore our present moral situation and the possibilities of ethics in it. This situation is characterised by pluralism of moral views, which gives rise to relativist and cynical reactions as w...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Schaafsma, Petruschka 1975- (Author)
Contributors: Adams, Nicholas 1970- (Bibliographic antecedent)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Taylor & Francis 2023
In: International journal of philosophy and theology
Year: 2023, Volume: 84, Issue: 5, Pages: 326-332
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Jüngel, Eberhard 1934-2021, Wertlose Wahrheit / Ethics / Paradox / Truth / Interruption
IxTheo Classification:FA Theology
KAJ Church history 1914-; recent history
NCA Ethics
Further subjects:B Pluralism
B value ethics
B interruption
B Truth
B Paradox of ethics
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Description
Summary:In this contribution, I take Nicholas Adams’ discussion of the paradox of ethics as an occasion to further explore our present moral situation and the possibilities of ethics in it. This situation is characterised by pluralism of moral views, which gives rise to relativist and cynical reactions as well as to strong, polarising expressions. These tendencies feed a suspicion towards ethical reflection. In light of the paradox of ethics as discussed by Adams this may seem justified. I will argue, however, for a more constructive role for ethics. This can be elaborated by focusing on the transcendent character of the good, which is implied in the paradox. I will explore this transcendent character by turning to a Christian perspective on morality that elaborates this transcendence in a specific constructive way. From this perspective, the experience of the loss of self-evidence around which the paradox of ethics revolves may be seen as beneficial. It opens human beings to a transcendent good to which they can entrust themselves for a renewal of life. Thus, the good can be seen as something that makes an appeal to us that can liberate to a love that transcends doing good as a human project.
ISSN:2169-2335
Reference:Kritik von "Obstacles to moral articulation in interreligious engagement (2023)"
Kritik in "Reply to my respondents (2023)"
Contains:Enthalten in: International journal of philosophy and theology
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1080/21692327.2024.2302094