Morality cover art

Morality

Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times

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Morality

By: Jonathan Sacks
Narrated by: Jonathan Sacks
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About this listen

Tie-in to his Radio 4 series, thought leader Jonathan Sacks on how we can build a strong collective morality for the modern era.

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, thinkers 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.

Awarded Book of the Year 2020 in the National Jewish Book Awards.

©2018 Jonathan Sacks (P)2018 Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Ethics & Morality Philosophy Religious Studies Morality Inspiring Thought-Provoking Socialism Capitalism

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All stars
Most relevant
I was recommended to listen to this book and agreed as a favour, though that’s not what I said at the time.
Sachs, passing not long from the finishing of this book, writes of the state of our society, of the polarisation throughout. Written accurately and with compassion he tells how the “I” has become no.1 on all sides of the political spectrum. Lamenting the lack of consideration of others he urges that we must remember this is what makes and has made our western world a good place to be born into.

Well worth the read, I’ll certainly be recommending it to others.

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The articulation of the question: Why is the world like it is? Or why are we like we are? is found here in Rabbi Sack’s marvellous book. The great content would set up anyone thinking of an undergraduate study in Ethics, Politics, Philosophy, Judeo-Christian impact, Cultural Studies, etc. It’s just great, as is his BCC Radio 4 podcast that I think he mentioned once or twice ;-).

Superb

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Rabbi Jonathan is, in my judgement, the finest moral teacher of our generation: he is able to combine his own (Jewish) tradition with a universalist sensitivity in a way that is profoundly moving. He is a Somewhere person who can speak to the most sophisticated Anywhere person. And as for his simple thesis on the role of morality between politics and the market, it is devastatingly convincing. This is real human wisdom, and I loved it. I had just finished it, and its ideas were still mulling around my head, when I heard of his death: truly, we have lost a good man. May I one day meet him in heaven.

Deep, humane wisdom

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Probably Lord Sacks best book to date. Excellent critique of populism and the woke movement and the so called post truth/post modern narrative.He is probably one of the best living intellectuals. If you want a good understanding of what has gone wrong with the world and what we need to do to build a better future read this book. Covers not just moral philosophy but also theology, economics, and social science and political philosophy and Jewish thought.

Absolutely Brilliant

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a life time of wisdom and research to support it. Amazing mind providing sound arguments that are well supported by thorough research. amazing. G

Don't read this book, study it, then live it!

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