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The Concept of Responsibility: Dilemma and Necessity

LS Systematische Theologie 1, Kochstr. 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany, wolfgang.schoberth{at}theologie.uni-erlangen.de

Beginning with a critique of Max Weber’s famous, but misleading distinction between an ‘ethics of intention’ and an ‘ethics of responsibility’, the article brings attention to the elucidating analysis of the concept of responsibility by the German philosopher Georg Picht. Originally a juristic term, responsibility was applied to eschatology and so became a fundamental ethical concept. By separating the concept from its theological background it remains a necessary idea for modern societies but increasingly loses its definition. The concept suffers from overemphasising the autonomous subject, which is overburdened by the universality of responsibility. Therefore a ‘polis ethic’ is needed: not the isolated subject, but subjects in community are its authors. For Christians all human responsibility is preceded by God’s actions and held by God’s grace.

Key Words: autonomous subject • concept of responsibility • eschatology • Georg Picht • Max Weber • political ethics

Studies in Christian Ethics, Vol. 22, No. 4, 423-441 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0953946809340946


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