Five Moral Pieces

By Umberto Eco

Book Overview

Embracing the web of multiculturalism that has become a fact of contemporary life from New York to New Delhi, Eco argues that we are more connected to people of other traditions and customs than ever before, making tolerance the ultimate value in today's world. What good does war do in a world where the flow of goods, services, and information is unstoppable and the enemy is always behind the lines?
In the most personal of the essays, Eco recalls experiencing liberation from fascism in Italy as a boy, and examines the various historical forms of fascism, always with an eye toward such ugly manifestations today. And finally, in an intensely personal open letter to an Italian cardinal, Eco reflects on a question underlying all the reflections in the book--what does it mean to be moral or ethical when one doesn't believe in God?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0156013258
• ISBN13: 9780156013253
• Release Date: October 2002
• Publisher: Harpervia
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

The First is the Best

These are five essays previously written by Eco for various publications. Most of them are of interest to those who study European politics and cultural life. If you are not interested in the Italian press or post WWII Facism in Europe and are not familiar with some of the well known players, parts of these essays will make no sense to you. However, the first essay, "Reflections on War," is worth the price. This essay was written about the first "gulf" war in Kuwait. Reading in now in a post-Iraq war frame is even more interesting. Eco predicts the neo-conservative view that active imposition of democracy by the developed nations will begin to occur in the middle east and elsewhere and he gives some brillant insight into this thinking.The other essays have thoughts worth reading even if the topics are not your cup of tea. Like all of Eco's work, this is highly readable and not at all obtuse.

Extremely relevant thought pieces for today's world

While the book is on the pricey side, it contains some extremely relevant thought pieces for our world today. The essays are meant to provoke further thinking on the subjects rather than provide any pat answers.The essays on immigration and intolerance and the characteristics of fascism are particularly worth reading.