Ethics and Modern Thought: A Theory of Their Relations

Name: Ethics and Modern Thought: A Theory of Their Relations
Author: Rudolf Eucken

By Rudolf Eucken

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Philosophy & Ethics

About This Book

The lectures analyze the crisis of morality under modern scientific and social pressures, arguing that determinism, self-interest, and the instrumental valuation of action have weakened traditional ethical certainty. Four competing moral frameworks—religious, rational, work-centered, and social—are distinguished and compared, with attention to the sustaining role of religious ethics and the objections raised by contemporary life. The author defends an ethical principle rooted in spiritual autonomy, traces its evolution, examines the relation between morality and religion, and assesses the current status and prospects of moral life in modern conditions.

About the Author

Rudolf Eucken

Rudolf Eucken was a German philosopher and Nobel laureate known for his contributions to the fields of ethics and idealism. His works often explore the relationship between ethics and modern thought, as exemplified in his notable book "Ethics and Modern Thought: A Theory of Their Relations." Eucken's philosophy emphasizes the significance of life’s purpose and values, which he articulates in texts such as "Life's Basis and Life's Ideal: The Fundamentals of a New Philosophy of Life" and "Der Sinn und Wert des Lebens." His writings reflect a deep engagement with the spiritual and existential questions of his time, making him a prominent figure in German philosophical thought.