What is the main message of Morality?

The main message of Morality is to prioritize ethics and moral values in our lives.

How long does it take to read Morality?

The reading time for Morality varies based on the individual's reading speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

Who is the author of Morality?

Jonathan Sacks is the author of Morality.

Philosophy

Morality Book Summary - Morality Book explained in key points

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Morality summary

Name: Morality
Rating: 4.2 (86 reviews)
Author: Jonathan Sacks

Jonathan Sacks

Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times

4.2 (86 ratings)

27 mins

Brief summary

'Morality' by Jonathan Sacks is a thought-provoking book that explores the values and principles that underpin our society, and how these have been eroded over time. The book argues that we need to rediscover the importance of moral principles in our lives if we are to build a better future for ourselves and our communities.

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Culture Ethics & Morality

Table of Contents

Morality
Summary of 9 key ideas

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Key idea 1 of 9

What’s in it for me? An epidemic handbook.

The world around us seems more turbulent and tumultuous than ever. In these times of rapid change, society has cast aside traditional values and it’s unclear what could – or should – come to replace them.

With Morality: Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks contemplates how we got here and how we can move forward without leaving anyone behind. Drawing on decades of scholarly study and spiritual reflection, Sacks traces the roots of our current crises from the ancient Greeks to today.

In this book-in-blinks, you’ll discover the ways in which the concept of morality has shaped society through the ages, and why it should still be a central concern. By taking lessons from the past and applying them to contemporary conflicts, Sacks illuminates the importance of cultivating a strong moral foundation, both as individuals and as a community.

In these blinks, you’ll learn

what cows, chickens, and grass can tell us about moral codes;
why social media makes us mean; and
how science can solve problems but let us down.

Society’s emphasis on individuality leaves us isolated and vulnerable.

Beethoven, Bach, Brahms. All of these men devoted their entire lives to composing symphonies. With their intense dedication and powerful talents, they penned some of the most beautiful orchestral music in history. Yet without the orchestra, we would never have heard it.

The fact is, even a genius can’t bring a symphony to life on his own. It takes the teamwork and coordination of dozens of musicians all working together. Without this community effort, all grand symphonies would be reduced to rather lonely solos.

The key message here is: Society’s emphasis on individuality leaves us isolated and vulnerable.

For the past few decades, society has become increasingly focused on the individual. This shift is reflected all over our culture, even in our pop music. A study from the University of Kentucky found that since 1980, hit songs have included fewer lyrics about “we” and “us” and more about “me” and “I.”

But that’s just a small example. Our lifestyles have changed, too. These days, people live more solitary lives. They marry later, have fewer children, and join fewer social groups than in the past. In the United States, the percentage of people living alone has doubled in just 50 years. In large cities, nearly half of all people live on their own.

This shift toward individuality has left us lonelier, which can have dire consequences. For one, chronic loneliness has serious health implications. Research has linked feeling alone to higher stress levels and reduced immune system response. One study even found that long-term loneliness is as harmful to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Our obsession with individualism has also boosted the self-help industry. Each year, thousands of books are published that claim we can fix our problems by focusing on ourselves. But this narcissistic impulse only leaves us more lonely and disconnected.

A better way for us to improve our lives is to act in service to others. You can do this by stepping outside yourself and evaluating your behavior from an outsider's perspective. Rather than basing your actions and decisions around your immediate needs and desires, reflect on how others may experience your actions.

Such an approach to life values the collective “us” over the individual “I.” This process is sometimes called “unselfing” and is the basis of morality. In the next blinks, we’ll delve deeper into why this process can be so difficult.

New norms governing relationships discourage us from acting morally.

Take a scroll through your Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat feed. How many friends and connections do you have? According to a 2018 study, if you’re like the average British adult, it’s probably around 500. Now, how many of those connections could you rely on in an emergency?

Unfortunately, that number is probably much lower. In fact, that same study showed the average adult only has five “true friends” – that is, friends who would make some sort of sacrifice for them. Those other online friends are just not the same.

In economics, self-interest should always be tempered by moral conscience.

It inspired the beautiful portraits of Renaissance Italy. It informed the passionate writings of Kirkegaard, Voltaire, and Kant. It fueled the entrepreneurial spirit of early America. And, in 2008, it crashed the entire world economy.

Our relationship with the ethos of individualism has never been static. It’s been growing and changing for centuries, influencing everything from our art and culture to our politics and economics. Sometimes, these changes are good. Other times, they’re disastrous.

A stable society requires a shared moral code.

Check the news. You’ll see stories of riots, terrorism, and political oppression. Pop into your local bookstore. You’ll see bestsellers with titles like How Democracy Ends, Why Liberalism Failed, and The Strange Death of Europe.

It seems that no matter where you look, things appear bleak. So how did we get here? To find the answer, we might need to look in a mirror. The way we see ourselves and our place in society might be the issue.

To sustain a moral community, we must respect the truth.

It’s the year 1274 BCE. Ramesses II returns to Egypt after fighting the Hittites in the city of Kadesh. He tells the Egyptians to celebrate, for they won the battle. Back in Kadesh, the Hittites are also celebrating. Their leader is also claiming victory.

Who really won? We still don’t know. Certainty could be hard to come by in ancient Egypt. Today, it’s even harder. Unscrupulous politicians, biased news organizations, and social media make spreading misinformation easier than ever. However, that doesn't mean we should give up on the truth.

Building a moral community means looking forward, not back.

Yisrael Kristal lost everything in the Holocaust. He lost his health, his business, and his entire family. Yet, after leaving Auschwitz, he kept going. He moved to Israel, started a successful candy company, and, at 113 years old, he became the oldest person ever to have a bar mitzvah.

Like many Holocaust survivors, Kristal didn’t let victimhood define him. While he suffered incredible personal anguish, he left it in the past by concentrating on building a better future. If we want a moral society, we should follow his lead.

Morality comes from our ability to make choices and make meaning.

In the beginning, Earth was the center of the universe, and humankind was the masterful creation of God. Then along came Copernicus and Darwin. Suddenly, the Earth was just another planet, and humans just another animal.

Quite the downgrade, right? While scientific advancement has many benefits, it also changes how we see ourselves. Yet as we learn more about how the world works, it’s important to remember what makes humans special.

While there are many moral codes, it’s important to commit to one of them.

Here’s an experiment: show a child a picture of three things – a cow, a chicken, and some grass. Then ask them which two things go together. The answer is obvious, right? Well, that depends on whom you ask.

Researchers who conducted this experiment found that answers varied. American children were likely to group the cow with the chicken. In contrast, Chinese children often paired the cow and the grass. This exercise shows that the physical world can be seen through multiple lenses. And when it comes to morality, the same principle applies.

We can reinvigorate society’s moral code by working together.

September 11, 2001, was an unusual day for everyone. But it was especially strange for Gander, Newfoundland. As aircraft all over North America were forced to land, more than thirty airliners filled with passengers ended up in this small, isolated community in Canada.

The people of Gander rose to the occasion. They provided food, housing, and warm compassion to seven thousand strangers stranded in their town. On one of the darkest days in history, they showed that humanity was still basically good.

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What is Morality about?

Morality (2020) is a detailed deconstruction of our current social climate and a lucid account of how we got here. Part intellectual history and part manifesto of moral truths, this thoughtful work uncovers the roots of the rifts in contemporary society and points out a path toward a more just future.

Morality Review

Morality (2020) by Jonathan Sacks is a thought-provoking exploration of the values and principles that shape our moral compass. Here's why this book is a gem:

With a focus on philosophical and religious perspectives, it offers a multidimensional understanding of morality, catering to a wide range of readers.
Through compelling arguments and real-life examples, it challenges conventional wisdom, prompting readers to reflect on their own ethical beliefs.
By illustrating how morality impacts society and individuals, Sacks drives home the importance of living an ethical life, leaving readers inspired and eager to apply the lessons in their own lives.

Best quote from Morality

Morality is precisely un-self-help. It is about strengthening our relationships with others.

—Jonathan Sacks

Who should read Morality?

Lost souls seeking guidance in times of trouble
Citizens searching for justice in politics
Anyone concerned about the state of modern society

About the Author

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks is a best-selling author of more than 30 books including Not in God's Name: Confronting Religious Violence (2015) and The Great Partnership: God, Science and the Search for Meaning (2012). He is the former Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth and has lectured on spirituality and morality at dozens of leading religious institutions around the world.

Categories with Morality

Philosophy Religion & Spirituality Society & Culture

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