Perspectief 2013-21

Perspectief 50 prof. dr. Fred van Iersel Agape is not an isolated phenomenon: it reflects an objective difficulty of integrating dif- ferent types of authority. Maybe the lack of interdisciplinarity can be understood as an expression of the difficulty of reaching the dialogue partners needed for such an inter- disciplinarity. The Roman Catholic Church in its catholic social teaching faces exactly the same challenges. Christian social ethics, regardless its denominational context, may be more socially effective when it consequently tries to integrate the confessional - founda- tional discourse (about the question why Christian Ethics is a task of the Churches and a part of theology), with an explanation of key values and their contextual elaborations. 14 Closing remarks: how can this document become useful? In my opinion, the Agape document is still worth reading, because of its substance. It ex- presses the willingness to radical economic change. In itself, this is very rare – citizens and consumers pleading for justice worldwide – yet it is very important in the current debates about the world economy and financial systems. It may appeal both to the responsible leaders, to working people and to consumers‘ ethics. However, in order to be more effec- tive, it needs to be reworked from the point of view of its method and structure, and from the point of view of interdisciplinarity. Also, it is necessary to expand the addressees, from member churches and Christians to all people of good will, including economists.

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