Morality, complexity and relationships

ABSTRACT

The changes associated with the Renaissance, Reformation and Enlightenment moved the seat of authority from princes and bishops to the individual and made the application of rationality the measure of believability. This paper argues that the current period of socio-political and moral upheaval, triggered by disruptive technology, anger about corruption and distrust of intellectual elites, is resulting in a move beyond linear and reductionist thinking to an approach characterised by complexity, and from rationalism to relational thinking. Some implications for public morality are identified and discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Morality
• complexity
• relational thinking

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

John Alderdice

Lord John Alderdice is a Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Centre for the Resolution of Intractable Conflict at Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford, a Visiting Research Fellow at St Benet’s Hall, University of Oxford and a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA. He is a former Leader of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland, was one of the leaders who negotiated the Belfast Agreement, was the first Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, has been an active Liberal Democrat member of the House of Lords since 1996 and is currently a Deputy Chairman of Committees in the House of Lords.