STRANGE NEW WORLD :Conversations in Times of Crisis

 On Sunday we had the pleasure of being introduced to the National Library of Israel's Reading Room, a new virtual space where one can enjoy live/ recorded conversations/lectures via Zoom.

We joined the first program of a Strange New World: Conversations in Times of Crisis on Justice and Leadership in Crisis with two very articulate participants, (L)American Philosopher Michael Sandel, one of Harvard Law's popular political professors, author... (Democracy's Disconnect and In Justice, What's the Right Thing to Do?, The Tyranny of Merit: What's Become of the Common Good?,What Money Can't Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets and also Liberalism and the Limits of Justice...) and (R)moderator Moshe Halbertal, noted Israeli philosopher, professor and writer and expert on Maimonides(The Birth of Doubt: Confronting Uncertainty in Early Rabbinic Literature, Maimonides: Life and Thought, Nahmanides: Law and Mysticism, Idolatry...)

You get it, both very prolific individuals who have spent their careers piecing together the whys and hows of contemporary society. Their dialogue spoke of our strange new world in times of crisis. 

So what we have learned from the virus? 

Remember the statement at the beginning of the virus 'WE are ALL in this together'? - The mutual dependency and vulnerability, social distancing, wearing of masks and quarantining. The 'ideal' where mankind would take precedence over economy. Yet, the truth would  be lurking in the shadows before demonstrating we are not ALL in this together.

Class, race and may I add, gender inequality would be instrumental in who would not be included. Those providing our essential work in society often are made up of the fore mentioned and are also those least compensated in salary and societal recognition. Over the last 40 years the benefits of society haven't been shared equally but have gone to the top 20%. 

What is merit?

One might assume where you are in the social hierarchy is due to your own merit and that market economies reward those whose hard work and production contributes most to society. Yet, those on the bottom  are blamed for their suffering.  In Deuteronomy we are warned about thinking our good fortune is due to our own merit. The book of Job points out there are morally and good people and yet they suffer for no apparent reason.

So,WHO receives a vaccine when it's developed?

When there is a vaccine who will be first in line and at what price? Would essential workers / those who were volunteer guinea pigs in the clinicals / the most vulnerable be vaccinated before those who are protected by their privilege? We should remember Jonas Salk's contribution to the world of the polio vaccine without profit. 

Our market has no morality and doesn't consider who contributes the most to the well being of society. 

What is apparent are the many cracks and flaws in the strange new world we are part of today...

This program will eventually be posted in the collection of the Reading Room's site @The Reading Room

Below is this week's upcoming presentation should you want to take a listen/ you can read my synopis next week/visit the site at a later date...

That's 10am Central Time... 11am EST