Every turning point – a new beginning

Dietmar Mieth, associate fellow at the Max-Weber-Kolleg of the University of Erfurt, has published a new book in which he deals with questions of responsibility in transformation processes that are often perceived as ‘turning points’.

The title ‘Every turning point – a new beginning’ leaves some questions of judgement unanswered. But these questions should be asked more directly, more precisely and more provocatively here, especially when far-reaching political, scientific, technical, cultural or ecclesiastical-religious changes are involved.

What are the topics? The book begins with an example: political action in the inevitably forced situation of war. The following chapters address conflicts in modern society – democracy, the environment, culture, life sciences, digitalisation, lifestyle, sport – as problems of moral responsibility.

A critical examination of the ‘signs of the times’ cannot avoid the observation that states and societies are developing more and more authoritarian structures. Many people – and their number is growing – do not want to participate: they want to be led and they like to embed themselves in the consensus of their identitarian groups. Where it is only about mutual confirmation of opinions and rituals, it is difficult to create an open, democratic society. We need a change from opinion to discourse. This is exhausting. Because discourse – as an argumentative conversation – requires first of all respecting the other ‘opinion’ in its reasoning – not in the way it boasts – that is, to include it in the reasoning of one's own view, even with the intention of refuting it.

More information concerning the book:

https://www.editionexodus.ch/verlagsprogramm