Carnegie Council

People Topics

Text Size: A A

Toward a Moral System for World Society: A Reflection on Human Responsibilities [Abstract]

Ethics & International Affairs, Volume 12 (1998)

Mary Maxwell

December 4, 1998

A group of statesmen, known as the InterAction Council, in consultation with theologians and philosophers representing many cultures, has come up with a proposed Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities. It contains rules of behavior for all people based on what its authors believe to be a global consensus centering on the Golden Rule. In unveiling a global ethic, the council has, perhaps unwittingly, opened up the so-far-neglected question of what a complete moral system for world society would look like.

This essay analyses the Declaration and its related report with regard to two areas: its ecumenical religious basis and its theme of responsibility, with particular attention to the question of balance between rights and responsibilities. The question is then asked: Does a global ethic imply community? An answer to this question is sought by examining Richard Alexander's new biological theory, which presents ethics as a means of pursuing interests through collectivity. The text of the Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities is appended.

To read or purchase the full text of this article, click here.

About the Journal

The Carnegie Council's flagship publication, Ethics & International Affairs is an interdisciplinary resource for scholars, students, and policy analysts concerned with the moral dimensions of global issues. The journal covers global justice, civil society, democratization, international law, intervention, sanctions, and related topics.

Search the Journal

ETHICS & INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
25TH ANNIVERSARY

25 year anniversary EIA celebrates 25 years, 1987-2011

SUBSCRIPTIONS
To subscribe to Ethics & International Affairs, or to purchase individual issues and articles, please contact Cambridge University Press.

CALL FOR PAPERS
We are currently accepting submissions for upcoming issues of the journal. For more information, click here.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
For submission guidelines, click here.

RESPONSES
The Editors welcome responses to Features and Essays published in Ethics & International Affairs. To be considered for publication, responses should be no longer than one thousand words, including endnotes (which should be kept to a minimum). Responses are not peer-reviewed, and are published at the Editors' discretion. All responses are subject to editing for length and style. In the event of any questions or substantive editing, the response will be returned to the author for final approval prior to publication. Responses are published online, alongside the article they address.