This book is about decision making. Its underlying theme is that we cannot move directly from basic Christian Insights to key areas where ethical choices have to be made without some kind of empirical investigation, with all the hazards which that brings. And the more detailed the analysis and recommendations drawn from the investigation, the greater the difference of opinion will be, This makes it important to work on particular topics in groups, looking for agreement at a middle level on a general direction: this is important where the situation is polarized, as it often Is.
The studies collected here relate to three areas: ecumenical Christianity, economics and politics. The subjects discussed include the development of social ethics in the Church of England, the future of Protestant ethics, the end of the Protestant work ethic, the New Right, political theology, liberation theology, penal theory and practice and the demoralization of modern society.