Morality

Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times

Jonathan Sacks

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English

John Murray
10 March 2020

Ethics & moral philosophy; Religion & beliefs; Christian theology; Judaism: theology

In today's world of cultural climate change, argues Jonathan Sacks, we have outsourced morality to the markets on the one hand, and to government on the other. If the market rewards it, it must be OK - unless the law says not to.

Yet while the markets have brought wealth to many and the state has done much to contain the worst excesses of inequality, neither is capable of bearing the moral weight of showing us how to live.

On the one hand, traditional values no longer hold, yet recent political swings show that modern ideals of tolerance have left many feeling rudderless and adrift. In this environment we see things fall apart in unexpected ways - toxic public discourse that makes true societal progress almost unattainable; the rise of religious extremism on the one hand and of aggressive atheism on the other; a drive for respect of all that establishes 'safe space' only where true debate is off limits.

How can we build - or rebuild - a collective culture that is able to both respect difference and draw us together to work for the common good? Talking to key modern influences and thinkers - including Jordan Peterson, Melinda Gates and David Brooks - and drawing inspiration from the Bible and the historical experience of the Jewish people, Sacks argues that there are eight key factors in establishing, maintaining and passing on resilient moral values within a broad group, among them attitudes of lifelong learning and of thanksgiving, the importance of family life and community, and a culture of positive argument in place of destructive conflict.

Combining his passionate belief in a positive way forward with a careful weighing of the realities and challenges of the position in which we find ourselves, Jonathan Sacks sets out a clear picture of a world in which we can all find our place and build a future worth working for.

By: Jonathan Sacks
Imprint: John Murray
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 232mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 32mm
Weight: 460g
ISBN: 9781529342635
ISBN 10: 1529342635
Pages: 336
Publication Date: 10 March 2020
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks is a global religious leader, philosopher, the author of more than twenty-five books, and a moral voice for our time. Described by H.R.H The Prince of Wales as 'a light unto this nation', he is a frequent and respected contributor to radio, television and the press both in Britian and around the world. Admired by non-Jews as much as Jews, by secular as well as religious thinkers, and equally at home in the university and the yeshiva, Rabbi Sacks served as Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth from 1991 until 2013. He read Philosophy at Cambridge before pursuing postgraduate studies at New College, Oxford and King's College, London.

Reviews for Morality: Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times

The former Chief Rabbi, Lord (Jonathan) Sacks, is one of the most interesting thinkers, writers and speakers about today. His interventions into the public debate rarely fail to encourage thought, knowledge and indeed wisdom. - The Spectator One of the most engaging thinkers of our time - The Times Britain's most authentically prophetic voice. - The Daily Telegraph Jonathan Sacks's voice carries unique moral authority far beyond the Jewish community. - The Tablet