Abstract

The cynical conception of history says that—in history, just as everywhere else—greed is always the only thing that governs: greed for material objects, greed for money, for gold, for oil, for power. "It has been so," says the cynic, "and so will it most likely always be. It has been so in despotic regimes, and it is not much different in a democracy, except for the fact that in a democracy, the hypocrisy is possibly even worse." I consider this doctrine to be not only wrong but also irresponsible, especially because a certain plausibility seems to support it. An d I consider it a compelling duty to fight against it, for how we think about ourselves and our history is important; it is important for our decisions and for our actions. That is the reason why I have picked this theme for my lecture.