A Preface to Morals

Description

A profound examination of morality and ethics in the modern age of disillusionment and shifting values.

Topics

Ethics, morality, humanism, secularism, modern philosophy

Detailed Description

Walter Lippmann's 'A Preface to Morals' (1929) stands as one of the most influential philosophical works of the early 20th century, offering a penetrating analysis of the moral disillusionment that characterized the post-World War I era. The book addresses the spiritual vacuum created by the decline of traditional religious authority and examines how modern individuals might reconstruct ethical frameworks in a secular age. Lippmann articulates a humanist philosophy that draws on classical traditions while acknowledging the realities of contemporary life, arguing for a mature morality based on self-discipline, disinterestedness, and the pursuit of excellence rather than dogmatic adherence to religious doctrine. His nuanced exploration of how humans can find meaning and purpose in an increasingly complex and disenchanted world continues to resonate with readers seeking ethical guidance in times of cultural transition and uncertainty.

About the Author

Walter Lippmann

Walter Lippmann (1889-1974) was one of America's most influential public intellectuals, whose career as a journalist, author, and political commentator spanned six decades. Born in New York City to German-Jewish parents, he graduated from Harvard University in 1910 where he studied under philosophers William James and George Santayana. Lippmann's career began at socialist publications before he co-founded The New Republic in 1914. During World War I, he served in military intelligence and later assisted President Woodrow Wilson in preparing the Fourteen Points peace program. As a syndicated newspaper columnist, first with 'Today and Tomorrow' (1931-1967) and later with Newsweek, Lippmann shaped American political discourse with his incisive analysis. His theoretical works, including 'Public Opinion' (1922), 'A Preface to Morals' (1929), and 'The Good Society' (1937), explored fundamental questions about democracy, mass media, and ethics in modern society. A two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, Lippmann coined enduring concepts such as 'stereotype' in its modern psychological meaning and was among the first to introduce the term 'Cold War.' His intellectual journey moved from progressive socialism to classical liberalism, always maintaining a commitment to thoughtful, dispassionate analysis over ideological orthodoxy.

Keywords

A Preface to Morals, Walter Lippmann, ethics, philosophy, morality, modern disillusionment, humanism, secularism, moral philosophy, religious decline, 20th century philosophy, American intellectuals, ethical frameworks, moral relativism, spiritual crisis, humanistic ethics, golden mean, moral maturity, disinterestedness, self-discipline, moral autonomy, modern society, philosophical pragmatism, moral responsibility, ethical development, liberal democracy, public intellectual, American journalism, interwar period, cultural criticism, moral psychology

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