To Heal a Fractured World

Society encourages people to think that morality is a personal choice and individual fulfillment is the meaning of life. But when contemporary people become overwhelmed, they often feel disconnected from societal ills. By contrast, the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, an international religious leader, philosopher, and respected moral voice, argues that the connections among people are an important reason that human life is meaningful. He teaches that human dignity requires a sense of collective responsibility, and encourages readers to preserve their ideals while refusing to accept a broken world.

An ethic of responsibility

Modern people often suffer isolation and disconnection. Traditions and institutions that once bound people together have eroded. People search for “self-fulfillment.” Yet, Sacks writes, a life based only on attaining individual desires can never be meaningful. A worthwhile life requires taking responsibility, connecting with other people, and reaching out to improve others’ lives, thereby participating in creating a better world.