Humanity: A Moral History of the Twentieth Century by Jonathan Glover
Amazon Blurb: The twentieth century was the most brutal in human history, featuring a litany of shameful events that includes the Holocaust, Hiroshima, the Stalinist era, Cambodia, Yugoslavia, and Rwanda. This book looks at the politics of our times and the roots of human nature to discover why so many atrocities were perpetuated and how we can create a social environment to prevent their recurrence. Jonathan Glover finds similarities in the psychology of those who perpetuate, collaborate in, and are complicit with atrocities, uncovering some disturbing common elements--tribal hatred, blind adherence to ideology, diminished personal responsibility--as well as characteristics unique to each situation. Acknowledging that human nature has a dark and destructive side, he proposes that we encourage the development of a political and personal moral imagination that will compel us to refrain from and protest all acts of cruelty.
Summary: This book traces the development of moral thinking over the past century and the impact of this on global events. Glover argues that the 20th century was marked by unprecedented levels of violence and destruction, largely due to the loss of traditional moral frameworks and the inability to replace them with new ones.
One of the key challenges to traditional morality came from the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who argued that traditional morality was based on false beliefs and that individuals needed to create their own values. This challenge has not been fully answered, and Glover suggests that it has contributed to a moral vacuum that has allowed for atrocities such as the Holocaust and the use of nuclear weapons.
Glover examines the development of moral thinking throughout the 20th century, including the rise of human rights and the idea of universal morality. He also explores the impact of technological advances on moral thinking, such as the development of nuclear weapons and the ethical dilemmas surrounding their use.
Throughout the book, Glover emphasizes the importance of moral thinking in guiding human behavior and preventing violence and destruction. He argues that while traditional moral frameworks may no longer be sufficient in the modern world, it is essential that we continue to strive towards a shared moral understanding and a commitment to universal human rights.
Overall, Glover's book is a thought-provoking exploration of the challenges facing moral thinking in the modern world, and the importance of finding new ways to understand and navigate these challenges in order to build a more just and peaceful future
OTHER BOOKS which pursue the theme of declining morality in modern times are listed below
"The Death of Character: Moral Education in an Age Without Good or Evil" by James Davison Hunter - This book argues that we have lost a sense of moral character in our society due to changes in our cultural and educational systems.
"The Moral Collapse of the University: Professionalism, Purity, and Alienation" by Bruce Wilshire - This book explores how the modern university has lost its moral foundation and become more concerned with professionalization than with ethical issues.
"After Virtue: A Study in Moral Theory" by Alasdair MacIntyre - This classic work argues that modern ethical theories are fundamentally flawed and that we need to return to a more Aristotelian understanding of ethics.
"The Closing of the American Mind" by Allan Bloom - This book argues that the decline of morality and intellectual curiosity in American society is due in part to the rise of relativism and the rejection of traditional values.
The De-Moralization of Society: From Victorian Virtues to Modern Values - Gertrude Himmelfarb Yes, Gertrude Himmelfarb has written a book titled "The De-Moralization Of Society: From Victorian Virtues to Modern Values." In this book, Himmelfarb argues that there has been a decline in morality and values in Western societies, particularly in the United States and Britain, since the Victorian era. Himmelfarb suggests that this decline is due to a number of factors, including the rise of moral relativism, the rejection of traditional moral standards, and the erosion of civic and communal institutions that once reinforced moral behavior. She also examines how cultural movements such as postmodernism and multiculturalism have contributed to this decline. The book has been praised for its insightful analysis of the cultural and moral changes that have occurred in Western societies over the past century. However, it has also been criticized for oversimplifying complex issues and for promoting a conservative agenda that may not be applicable to all societies and cultures.