Ethics: The Fundamental Questions of Our Lives

by Wolfgang Huber

In the twenty-first century the basic questions of ethics are no longer the abstract terms of ethical theory, but the concrete and burning issues related to the influence of life sciences, the impact of a globalized economy, and the consequences of present decisions for the future of humankind. The Fundamental Questions of Our Lives analyzes twenty ethical issues that address education and culture, labor and economy, the environment and sustainability, democracy and cosmopolitanism, peace and war, and life and death. Each chapter describes a concrete example showing the relevance of the fundamental ethical question, then provides an explanation of how one can think through possible responses and reactions. Huber emphasizes the connections between personal, professional, and institutional ethics and demonstrates how human relationships lie at the center of our ethical lives. His aim is to articulate a theology of what he calls "responsible freedom" that transcends individualistic self-realization and includes communal obligations.

232 pages, Paperback

First published April 21, 2015

Reviews

[Miroslav Staněk · Rating 4 out of 5]

From a school assignment to a quest to find out what the author's take on the next issue is going to be. And not only his. The book comes with a ton of references and historical context.


It basically tries to analise contemporary ethical problems like:

What is freedom and what are its limits?
Morale vs ethics
Sexuality
Human life / death and how we see it
Basic needs
Is it okay to eat meat?
Poverty
Culture
Democracy
Consciousness
Information - Media
Work-life
Healthcare effectivity and sustainability
Multiculturalism
Is it enough to tolerate?
War