Ethics and globalization

An international philosophy symposium on "Ethics in a Globalized World and Civic Virtue" was held at Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) in Lviv last week, with participation of speakers and guests from France, Ukraine, Canada, USA, Germany and Lebanon. Its program included lectures, discussions, and one special item – official announcement of establishment of the International Institute for Ethics and Contemporary Issues of the Ukrainian Catholic University.Foundations for development. The event saw participation of about hundred scholars from all over the world. One of the main speakers was a permanent member and former vice-president of the International Institute of Philosophy, vice-president of the Scientific and Strategic Orientation Committee of the Collège de France, Peter McCormick. According to the Information Department of UCU,it was his library of philosophical works containing over 6 thousand books and presented to UCU, that became a solid foundation for the development of the International Institute for Ethics and Contemporary Issues, representing also an opportunity for young scholars to research philosophical and ethical issues. Peter McCormick’s report was a reflection on bioethical issues related to development in the nuclear power plant Fukushima and the responsibility of people for their actions to future generations in this regard.Personal principles and preferences. Professor of Philosophy and Religion at the National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy, Victor Malakhov, focused on the problems of the loss of humanity and civic virtue, coming hand in hand with spreading of globalization in the world, and having an impact on human relations. In his view, the modern person must set his/her own ethical principles of conduct. "Humanity should have a certain procedure of required moral ‘epoché’, abstinence. That is not to allow ourselves to take part in activities and moral principles which are opaque to us", said Viktor Malakhov.Promotion of unity and love. Professor of Sociology at Georgetown University (USA) Jose Kasanova tried to link Catholicism, humanity, and globalization in his report entitled "Civic Virtue, Human Dignity and the Emergence of a Pluralistic Global Civil Society". As he said, "the fundamental fact of our modern, global world is the irreparable state of religious, ethical, cultural realism. In the second appeal of the Vatican Council regarding the attitude of the Church towards non-Christian religions, representatives of the Church began with the assertion that present relations between people are becoming stronger, and accordingly the Church should seriously consider the relationship with other non-Christian religions in order to promote unity and love between people and states". According to Kasanova, present situation requires special attention from both the Church and the state for the formation of human values and their passing to future generations. Each of the reports aroused considerable debate. Participants of the symposium reacted particularly critically to the thesis about the need to recognize sins of the past as it was done by the German society, as mentioned professor of moral theology at the interdiocesan seminary Saint Lambert in Germany Alois Buch and professor at the Department of Humanities at the University of Notre Dame (Lebanon) Edward Alam. Participants agreed that the dialogue at this stage must be "built on common points of contact rather than dwell on what distinguishes us". Serving the world community. One of the main points of the program was dedicated to information about the newly established International Institute for Ethics and Contemporary Issues within the Ukrainian Catholic University. Its director and vice-rector of UCU, Volodymyr Turchynovskyy, explained the bases for its creation. As he said, in recent years "the Department of Philosophy has worked fruitfully on the field of ethics. It is evident not only by publications and research seminars, but also by the themes of certificate programs, summer schools and conferences that have been held since 2008. As a result, as well as in response to needs of the Ukrainian society, the International Institute of Ethics was established". Commenting on the creation of the Institute, rector of UCU, bishop Borys Gudziak said: "I think that this institute offers and introduces an alternative in programs, styles, management, and is a novelty in our city and country. But our ambitions do not end there. From the very beginning of the development of the University, we worked with the conviction that we should serve the world community. Therefore, we have a great responsibility – to seek answers to the problems of the world, and I am convinced that we will make a contribution to this cause", reported the Information Department of UCU.