Svjetski etos i svjetsko gospodarstvo

Abstract

This dissertation primarily deals with the idea of the World Ethos project, developed by its conceptual author Hans Kung, the Swiss theologian and philosopher. The World Ethos is looked at by its interconnection with the global economy, and possible solutions to the world economic problems are being sought by bringing an ethical corrective into the present market economy. Solutions are considered in a comparative study of some other present-day ethical projects and models, chiefly in the sense of an integrative ethical thinking, through the contributions of integrative bioethics, integrative economic ethics, and those up-to-date ethical projects that formed, at the end of the last millennium, a new ethical culture, as an answer to the crisis of techno-scientific civilization. The main aim of this dissertation is the analysis, the interpretation, and the evaluation of Hans Kung’s thinking, his World Ethos project being one of the fundamental ethical concepts formed as a response to the modern world crisis. Further, the philosophical relevance, and the innovativeness of the World Ethos idea is being determined, as well as its contribution to the discussion on ethical values that should be the base of the global economy. The principal hypothesis of this investigation is that World Ethos project is able to fulfil the double task, imposed by the interaction between world market and techno-scientific progress, in the same time delivering the universal ethical standards, as well as the models for their introduction into the global economy. A pluriperspective approach, developed within the integrative bioethics project (Ante Covic) will be used, meaning that all the issues dealt with will be presented, perceived, and interpreted from various scientific, as well as extra-scientific perspectives, in order to complete the picture of the situation in which mankind in this moment is, and to evaluate projects and concepts offering theoretical explanations and practical orientation in the present situation. The historical approach will be used in the presentation of the World Ethos idea development, and the comparative method will be applied in the analysis of primary and secondary sources dealing with the basic postulates and guidelines of the World Ethos idea. Other methods, used customarily in social sciences and humanities, especially considering the problems of the relationship between economy and ethics, will be applied as well. The core area of the dissertation is dealing with the World Ethos project, designed by Hans Kung, the Catholic philosopher and theologian, the focal point being on the elaboration of the relationship between the World Ethos idea, and various theories and practices of the market economy, in the frame of the integrative models of the ethical thinking (integrative economic ethics, integrative bioethics, etc.). In the dissertation the present market economy (its theoretical strongholds and practices) will be subjected to the critical analysis and ethical evaluation, with a special attention paid to the globally ruling model of the neoliberal market economy, as well as to the consideration of the possibilities and ways of bringing ethical correctives and standards into that model. In this sense, the dissertation aims at presenting how Hans Kung’s World Ethos project is able to become a base for the development of a real vision of global economy, established on the principles of responsibility, as well as on the connection of economic strategies with ethical principles. The ultimate intention of the dissertation is, in practical terms, the contribution to the critical elucidation of the global economic conditions, as well as providing a real incentive for reshaping of the economic processes, carried out by the cooperation of scientists, politicians, and businessmen. The dissertation strives to demonstrate that all the events in the world today confirm the fact of global politics and global economy being in a deep crisis, and Hans Kung, by means of his World Ethos project, exposes all these trends to radical criticism, and points to the indispensable need of a new fundamental orientation, binding for all. It is also demonstrated that Hans Kung requires the basic landmarks for the purpose of accomplishing a more peaceful, more just, and more human world, offering a thoughtful draft of the future, based on a common ethos of mankind. Finally, the dissertation aims to point out that Hans Kung includes in the world ethos debate not only global economic issues, but all the new challenges as well. In this way the relationship between ecology and ethos is critically deliberated, because the ecological theories and environmental social movements appeared as an expression of paradigm shift, from modern to postmodern, where nature is perceived neither as a polygon for techno-scientific power games, nor as a merchandise to be exploited for profit. The connection of world ethos with social ecology endeavours, bioethics, integrative bioethics, and similar movements striving for a different attitude towards nature, non-human living beings, and ultimately towards the man himself is demonstrated.