Chapter Six. Ethics Of Sensitivity: Towards A New Work Ethic

Abstract

Courses in personal development and staff recruitment have become the setting of a remarkable alliance between modern working life and new religious practice. Leaders see the purpose of leadership from a new angle. As an analytical tool for studies in modern religiosity, this chapter draws on two ideal types of ethical and mythical religiosity. The first, ethical religiosity is based on the idea of conversion to a coherent system of faith, as we know it from the big monotheistic religions. The second ideal type, mythical religiosity, consists of religious and therapeutic techniques, denoted a 'psycho-religious practice' centered on the conscious and unconscious self. According to the new work ethic that is discussed in this chapter, the ethics of sensitivity, human beings must work in order to find their 'authentic Self' in an interminable process of growth that imbues lifelong learning and eternal change with spiritual meaning. Keywords: ethical religiosity; ethics of sensitivity; modern working life; mythical religiosity; new religious practice