Civic Philosophy

international | rights, freedoms and repression | opinion/analysis Friday March 21, 2008 17:43 by KevinT. Walsh - Sociasl Justice and Ethics

Exemplary figures gone awry

Contemporary Irish society is more divided than it has been for a long time - or so it was written last week.

The idealism, the hope, the tolerance, the courage, the social concern of the 1960's is sadly gone, according to Fr. Walter Forde, Parish Priest of Castlebridge, Co. Wexford. It was a sermon at the annual civic service, in the St. John the Babtist Church, Catedral, in Cashel, Co. Tipperary. There is now no social or civic philosophy, that the overwhelming majority of people can subscrbe to and which spurs them to social action.

Sectional interest has taken over. We all find it increasingly difficult to look at issues from the other nperson's point of view. The Celtic Tiger has stolen our morals - O we speak of weaknesses in society and we admit injustices exist but this sadly is a veneer because we retreat from the challenge of change and the demands of involvement.

Sadly hat one can see of the new philosophy that has emerged in modern Ireland, - it is individualistice, self centred, prejudiced and backward looking, even basic freedom is being defined - of private ownership, the rights ofr property, private schools, and above all private medicine.

Selfishness and greed have seeped over the market place into all walks of life. Perople are less polite, less considerate, and less concerned. In our health service, consuming is more important than caring. Our social life is always scarred by oppression and violence. Life is better for a lot of people in Ireland today, but we must acknowledge that we have fallen short of the Christian ideal for society.

The gap now between rich and poor goes deeper. Michael Lynn proved how greed amongst the Banks left others open and he walked away, laughing with 80 m. euros - no criminal world yet - no charges! Ireland is creeping into a social sectarianism that excludes or mocks those who disagree with the system. It is sad to see an increase in homelessness in Ireland but it worse when you see a Prime Time programme on the poor standard of accommodation made available by privatre landlords (as distinct from the State in the past) and to vulnerable people. Flats were shown in Limerick and men who had spent their working lives in England returned to degradation sanction by the State. Where is are sense of awareness!!!!

Values, codes of morality of ethics ought to be core to us all. What has happened to our Mentors, our Tutors, our representative government, our University Heads - Are they really and truly accountable to the Principles, we the people assumed they undertook. I have doubted this for a few years now.

To Fine Gael - a Question
Lying is now evidential in the Mahon Tribunal. In the light of this, are you prepared to suggest that an Taoiseach Mr. Ahern, should refuse the invitation to speak at the American House of Congress, next month. I am sure Grainne Garruth would answer this question truthfully now. Thanks to civic philosophy proposed by Judge Mahon, Grainne had time to reflect - overnight she realised - she must tell the truth. Philosophy flowed out of her mouth the following morning. She just simpl;y told the truth. In true philosophy, this surely would mean a resignation from an Taoiseach Ahern but this is Ireland.

Quotation - States of Denial. Book: Stanley Cohen

Psychological perspective

'There are also micro cultures of denial within particular institutions. The 'vital lies' sustained by families and the cover-ups within government bureaucracies, the police, or the army are again neither personal nor the result of official instruction. The group censors itself, learns to keep silent about matters whose open discussion would threaten its keep silent about matters whose open discussion would threaten its self-image. States maintain elaborate myths (such as the Israeli army's 'purity of arms', which asserts that force is used only when morally justified for self defence)............Telling the truth is taboo: it is snitching, whistleblowing, giving comfort to the enemy' page 11