An Introduction To Social Ethics The Social Conscience In A Democracy

Excerpt from An Introduction to Social Ethics, the Social Conscience in a Democracy The fundamental problem of human life is the social problem or the problem of living together in a social order with the least friction and the richest possible conservation and development of human powers. Democracy is but the last and, we are more and more convinced, the best solution of the social problem. Democracy, therefore, whatever it may mean, is not ultimate; it is a means to an end. It is merely one of the many solutions that have been proposed for the fundamental problem of civilization. Democracy is true, then, not because it reflects the eternal order of things but because of its practical results. Of governments as well as of religious beliefs it may be said "By their fruits ye shall know them". Democracy being an attempt to solve a comprehensive problem will of course present many phases. Looked at from the point of view of the state, democracy may be denned as the vesting of the people with the sovereign power. The supreme advantage of popular rule is that through it freedom and responsibility, rights and duties, are most intimately related. The exercise of sovereignty emphasizes the obligations that accompany it. Men are made to feel that rights and duties are but different ways of viewing the same social situation. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

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Building on the premise called the sociology of accounting, this book explores the sociology in the relationship between the market (global) economy and the concept of a caring (or collectivist) society. The author places the 'idea of accounting’ as central to the social conscience in a functioning sense, and revisits topics like globalization, the impact on society of rapid scientific and technological changes, shifting moral and family values, and the role of education. Ending with a message of hope, solutions are developed that involve recognizing the authority of social conscience and giving education the key role in the proposed transformative social action.

The Social Conscience tells of the past, discusses the present, and looks to the future of a caring society that rests of two fundamental but simple principles: the instinct to care and the necessity to share. The book provides a detailed analysis of how these principles define who we are and dictate the decisions we make when determining right from wrong in any situation, whether it concerns the actions of everyday people, government, or individuals holding power in a hierarchical structure. Shedding light on a subject widely discussed but rarely explained, The Social Conscience fully engages readers in a discussion of the nature of the social conscience and its social, political, business, and personal conduct. It explores the ways our decisions impact society, as well as the ways society impacts our decisions. Topics addressed in this highly accessible volume include the social consequences of a market economy, policy objectives and educational goals for empowering a caring society, conflict resolution, and the future of consciousness with respect to the dynamics of change. The 2013 release of The Social Conscience celebrates the revision of the well-received first edition of the title, which was published as a hardback in London in 2007.

By focusing the various difficulties encountered in applying theory to practical concerns, this book explores the reasons for the absence of a radical politics in Habermas's work. In doing so, it shows that certain political implications of the theory remain unexplored. The book articulates a unique application of Habermasian theory, the actual functioning of decision-making groups, the nature of deliberative interaction, and the kinds of judgments participants must make if they are to preserve their democratic process.