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| Ethical Perspectives |
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| Editorial |
| Bart Pattyn |
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Page : 0 - 0 |
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It is easy to reach an agreement on general principles. No one today would doubt that the world could use more justice or that the freedom of the individual ought to be respected. It is only when one begins to think about how these principles should be worked out concretely that one realizes just how many additional decisions this entails: decisions regarding the precise scope of concepts like equality, freedom and responsibility. This issue's opening article, by John Alexander, gives an illuminating picture of some authoritative standpoints regarding the principle of equality.
Joseph Lozano's article provides the outlines of an organizational ethics. At a time when organizational structures tend to function as cages to hold back all creativity and commitment, an ethical reflection can perhaps help in regaining a measure of human freedom, if only by using an analysis of norms and values to become more aware of the organization's identity and one's place within it.
This issue also examines the concept of social capital. It seems that the focus on interpersonal
relations and group formation in the social sciences, where the economic paradigm is dominant, is possible only if we regard these things as ‘capital’. The concept of social capital meant that even economists were prepared to give their attention to human relations and solidarity. But what about the content of the concept itself? Many opposing interpretations have been given. Dietlind Stolle and Marc Hooghe give an extensive survey in "Conflicting Approaches to the Study of Social Capital: Competing Explanations for Causes and
Effects of Social Capital".
A fourth article also examines the question of equality, this time equality between women and men. It is unacceptable to ascribe the differences between men and women to their respective natures. This kind of essentialism only serves to reinforce destructive role models. Yet it cannot be denied that women often do better than men professionally and morally. I sometimes think it is more difficult for men to give meaning to their existence, and their urge to assure themselves of honour and respect tends to overshadow their caring. This masculine urge is also a detriment to women, as Veerle Draulans shows in "The Glass Ceiling: Reality or Myth?". Justice demands that something be done about this, though it is not immediately clear what.
To round out this issue, we are including an interview with Charles Taylor about his new project concerning secularization. I hope you will enjoy reading this conversation with one of our best contemporary thinkers. |
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| Recent issue 17/2 (2010) |
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