Morality audiobook cover - Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times

Morality

Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times

Jonathan Sacks

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PhilosophyReligion & SpiritualitySociety & Culture

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Morality
The Shift from We to I+
Economics and Happiness+
Politics, Truth, and Society+
Justice and Moving Forward+
Free Will and Moral Codes+
Reinvigorating the Common Good+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 10
What does the concept of 'unselfing' refer to in the context of morality?
  • A. Evaluating your behavior from an outsider's perspective to act in service to others.
  • B. Completely ignoring your own needs to focus solely on charitable donations.
  • C. The process of deleting social media to reduce digital narcissism.
  • D. A psychological condition caused by chronic loneliness and isolation.
Question 2 of 10
According to the text, how does heavy social media use affect our capacity for morality?
  • A. It broadens our worldview, making it easier to empathize with diverse groups.
  • B. It fosters superficial interactions that correlate with lower empathy and higher depression.
  • C. It replaces traditional family structures with stronger digital support networks.
  • D. It encourages users to act selflessly by exposing them to global crises.
Question 3 of 10
How has the societal definition of happiness changed in a way that threatens moral cooperation?
  • A. Happiness is now viewed as an unattainable goal, leading to widespread economic stagnation.
  • B. Happiness is increasingly associated with political power rather than personal fulfillment.
  • C. Happiness is now equated simply with experiencing pleasant sensations rather than living a virtuous life.
  • D. Happiness is currently defined by community service, which distracts from economic productivity.
Question 4 of 10
What is a major consequence of society adopting Rousseau's view that the state must provide for the 'common good'?
  • A. People have become overly reliant on religious institutions for financial security.
  • B. Individuals have successfully reclaimed their natural rights from authoritarian governments.
  • C. The state easily fulfills these broad expectations, leading to unprecedented global peace.
  • D. People become disappointed and angry when the state fails, often turning to populism.
Question 5 of 10
Why does Jonathan Sacks view postmodernist philosophy as dangerous to a moral society?
  • A. It promotes a fluid conception of reality that undermines the shared beliefs necessary for society to function.
  • B. It insists on absolute, objective truths that leave no room for cultural diversity.
  • C. It encourages students to engage in overly aggressive, physical debates on university campuses.
  • D. It relies too heavily on religious dogma to explain historical events.
Question 6 of 10
What is the primary goal of an 'argument for the sake of heaven' in Judaism?
  • A. To defeat an opponent using undeniable empirical evidence.
  • B. To censor offensive language and maintain a safe space for all participants.
  • C. To find the truth through mutual respect, careful speaking, and listening.
  • D. To convince non-believers to adopt traditional religious values.
Question 7 of 10
According to the text, what is a major flaw of modern public shaming and vigilante justice?
  • A. It is usually directed at people who have committed no actual offense.
  • B. It completely ignores the historical context of the offenses committed.
  • C. It is too easily manipulated by authoritarian governments.
  • D. It does away with due process and doles out punishment from a place of anger.
Question 8 of 10
How do religious traditions counter the deterministic views of thinkers like Freud and Marx?
  • A. By arguing that humans are conscious agents with the free will to make meaning and moral choices.
  • B. By proving that natural selection is guided by a divine, predetermined plan.
  • C. By suggesting that economic forces are actually controlled by spiritual entities.
  • D. By claiming that unconscious drives are the true source of human dignity.
Question 9 of 10
What is the difference between 'thick' and 'thin' moral codes?
  • A. Thin codes are religious, while thick codes are strictly secular.
  • B. Thin codes are abstract, universal principles, while thick codes are specific, culturally bound rules.
  • C. Thin codes are used in modern societies, while thick codes were used exclusively in ancient societies.
  • D. Thin codes govern economic behavior, while thick codes govern interpersonal relationships.
Question 10 of 10
What does Sacks mean by the 'politics of covenant'?
  • A. A legal framework where the state takes full responsibility for social services.
  • B. An economic system that prioritizes free-market competition over government regulation.
  • C. A shift toward mutual responsibility, where individuals and communities focus on cooperation and the 'we'.
  • D. A political strategy that uses identity politics to unite marginalized demographic groups.

Morality — Full Chapter Overview

Morality Summary & Overview

Morality (2020) is a detailed deconstruction of our current social climate and a lucid account of how we got here. Part intellectual history and part manifesto of moral truths, this thoughtful work uncovers the roots of the rifts in contemporary society and points out a path toward a more just future.

Who Should Listen to Morality?

  • Lost souls seeking guidance in times of trouble
  • Citizens searching for justice in politics
  • Anyone concerned about the state of modern society

About the Author: Jonathan Sacks

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks is a best-selling author of more than 30 books including Not in God's Name: Confronting Religious Violence (2015) and The Great Partnership: God, Science and the Search for Meaning (2012). He is the former Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth and has lectured on spirituality and morality at dozens of leading religious institutions around the world. 

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