RT Article
T1 Interruption that liberates to love. On the positive potential of the ‘paradox of ethics’
JF International journal of philosophy and theology
VO 84
IS 5
SP 326
OP 332
A1 Schaafsma, Petruschka
LA English
PB Taylor & Francis
YR 2023
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/188144354X
AB 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.
K1 Pluralism
K1 value ethics
K1 Truth
K1 interruption
K1 Paradox of ethics
DO 10.1080/21692327.2024.2302094