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Document Details : Title: Introduction Author(s): KIDD, Dale Journal: Ethical Perspectives Volume: 8 Issue: 3 Date: October 2001 Pages: 143-144 DOI: 10.2143/EP.8.3.583186 Abstract : The articles published in this issue of Ethical Perspectives all relate to the social and political consequences of phenomena such as uncertainty and anxiety. The biennial Multatuli Lecture, held in Leuven on May 12 th, 2001, addressed this very theme. In her paper, 'Anxiety and Uncertainty in Modern Society', Mary Douglas, one of the keynote speakers at the conference, puts forward the view that certainty is only possible when uncertainty is held in check by some kind of institution. Citing examples from her vast experience of various cultural systems, she argues that the loss of certainty in contemporary society, lamented by many, should hardly come as a surprise. Modern demography, technology and forms of labour have contributed to the decline of many traditional institutions, and increased the flexibility and openendedness of our experience. Douglas realizes that a return to traditional forms of community, and hence greater certainty, is a chimera. She argues that we should rather examine our desire for greater certainty, and prepare ourselves to live with uncertainty, without regrets. |
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