A Critical Note on the »World Ethos Project«

Abstract

The placing of an emphasis on ethos and virtues in reflections on social issues has always drawn a very diverse circle of thinkers. However, while contemporary societies stand on the threshold of ever-growing, as yet unseen, crises, the actual meaning of the »World Ethos Project« is pervaded with doubt. In his reflections on a new, world- wide moral renaissance, Hans Kung gives prominence to the three great monotheistic religions, though he may sociologize and unify them excessively. Reconciliations sought by Kung among various cultures as well as all social mechanisms are in contradiction to that which is the essence of modern social structures. What predominates in the latter are conflicts and also opposing and incompatible social ideas, while pluralistic rhetoric primarily serves to conceal the depth of the conflicts. Here, some aporetic points of the »World Ethos Project« are analyzed such that the necessity for a stricter philosophical approach may be stressed.