moral gap, The
Book Description
In the depths of moral reflection lies a profound challenge that has puzzled philosophers and spiritual seekers for centuries: the distance between what we know we ought to do and what we actually can accomplish. Philosopher J. E. Hare explores this fundamental tension in human experience, beginning with Immanuel Kant's recognition that moral demands often exceed our natural abilities to fulfill them.
Drawing from Kant's philosophical framework, Hare examines how Christian tradition has historically addressed this dilemma through concepts of divine revelation, providence, and grace. This traditional approach suggests that bridging the moral gap requires assistance beyond human capability alone.
The exploration then turns to contemporary philosophical responses that attempt to resolve this tension without invoking divine help. Hare analyzes three primary approaches: inflating human moral capacity beyond realistic bounds, reducing moral standards to manageable levels, or substituting naturalistic explanations for divine assistance. Through careful analysis, he demonstrates why these secular strategies ultimately fall short of addressing the core problem.
The book's final section delves deeper into Christian theological concepts including atonement, justification, and sanctification. Hare incorporates insights from Kierkegaard's understanding of ethical versus Christian living, concluding with an examination of forgiveness both human and divine, exploring their similarities and crucial differences.
This thoughtful work speaks to anyone grappling with the complexities of moral living and seeking to understand how spiritual resources might address the inherent limitations of human moral capacity.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~8 hours)
🕉️ Tradition: Ethics & Philosophy
📄 Length: 292 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Understand spiritual ethics
- ✓ Explore Theological anthropolgy
- ✓ Explore Modern Ethics
- ✓ Open to divine grace
- ✓ Explore Kant, immanuel, 1724-1804
- ✓ Explore Christianity
- ✓ Explore Human beings
- ✓ Explore Man (Christian theology)
