The rapid change in the latter half of the 20th century required now ethical answers and conside rations in all areas of society (family, corporate world, medicine, biotechnology, etc.). The need for a new "Christian Ethics" in Germany permeated all of society after the collapse of Nazi-ideology and value systems. The article shows how Protestant ethics in and around Germany, have failed to adress this need. There are two main reasons for the inadequate response. First, the mainstream of Protestant ethics widely refused to offer specifically "Christian" contributions to the moral construction of society, based on a fear that core of Christianity would yet again be utilized as a lable of legitimacy. Secondly theological ethics were focused on the discourse of principle to an extent that the laborous work left more or less undone. Protestant ethics did not succeed in making ethical commitments and conside rations relevant for specific questions and needs for example in the area of medicine and biotechnologi cal research or in the realm of corporate action and interaction. The lack of applicability and immediate relevance calls for a discourse and collaboration that integrates the ethical disciplines with those members and institutions in society that are confronted with and confronting the ethical challenge.

Enthalten in:
Zeitschrift für Evangelische Ethik; 2000/3 Kommentare, Studien, Berichte, Dokumentationen, Diskussionen, Rezensionen, Bibliographie (2000)

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Serie / Reihe: Zeitschrift für Evangelische Ethik

Personen: Dahm, Karl-Wilhelm

Schlagwörter: Gesellschaft Christliche Ethik Protestantismus Evangelische Theologie Theologische Ethik Christliche Sozialethik 1950-2000