Transfiguring Capitalism

ISBN-13: 9780334028314 / Angielski / Miękka / 2008 / 354 str.

John Atherton

Opis

Addressing the academic market, working in the area of social ethics, this publication addresses key problems in contemporary life, and raises important questions about our growing awareness of the limits of contemporary ways of living with modern economies and modern religion. The author explores possible alternatives to such capitalism and religion and develops a compelling argument for the development of a transcendence of capitalism, what the author terms "hopeful progression through and beyond the limits of modernity." In developing this argument the author also injects each chapter with both local (British) and global case studies to illustrate practical problems alongside the theoretical discussion. In addition, whilst focusing on Christianity as an entry point to the various arguments, the author also works in conversation with New Religious Movements and other Faiths including Islam, Hindi and Judaism.

Transfiguring Capitalism began in the British tradition of relating religion and capitalism, and developed into a four-year enquiry into the contribution of religion to global change. The result is a powerful justification of religions resurgent role in a global context alongside empires, capitalism and globalization. Elaborating religions contribution to contemporary life involvesconversations with international and multidisciplinary debates about happiness and well-being, in addition to a detailed exposition of faith-based initiatives in partnerships and as distinctively different. Examples are drawn from across the world, including from other faiths. The final part collects key elements of the religious contribution for the future, including reflections on what it means to be human, an interpretation of personal and common good ethics, a consideration of typologies and traditions, and the elaboration of fresh understandings of faithful economics from ethical to theological economies. It is out of all this material that a new stage in British Christian Social Ethics is developed as the transfiguration of capitalism, not least in a critical and innovatory conversation with neo-Marxist views of the empire of global capitalism.John Atherton is retired canon theologian of Manchester Cathedral, honorary lecturer of Manchester University, and secretary of the William Temple Foundation. He has written numerous books and is joint editor of Crucible, the Christian journal of social ethics. He holds doctorates from Manchester and Uppsala, Sweden.This magisterial volume is a splendid resource for all interestedin Christian social ethics, and in particular the Anglican traditionspringing from R.H.Tawney and William Temple. John Atherton,the leading exponent of this approach today, is at the height ofhis powers. He takes social science seriously and deploystheological insights and challenges lucidly and helpfully.Duncan Forrester, Professor Emeritus, University of EdinburghIn this impressive book John Atherton gives a thorough analysisof economic globalization and the transformation of capitalism.He demonstrates the contributions of religion and Christiananthropology in dealing with moral issues raised by the globaleconomy. This is an outstanding and thought-provoking studyon political economy and Christian social ethics.Carl-Henric Grenholm, Professor of Ethics,Uppsala University, Sweden