A few years ago when the Enron scandal was at its climax, an article appeared in The Guardian Weekly: the author, a Harvard University professor, insisted that one of the major reasons why such corrupt practices occur in our society is the fact that neither philosophy nor ethics are taught in our universities any longer.

Although this is an over-statement, there is much to ponder about. The pragmatism and utilitarianism which are the foundations of the dominant contemporary culture tend to produce a society which has few points of reference.

This disorientation has continued to proliferate and led to the complex financial, economic, political and social crisis that consumes the energies of policymakers and ordinary people, not to mention streams of ink employed in trying to explain why and how it occurred. What has gone wrong?

The many crises that are evident in public life have similar roots, whether this be the long-standing Italian political stalemate, or the showdown in Tunisia, or the “expenses scandal” which struck Britain’s venerable Parliament two years ago.

Ordinary people may well ask: is public life any longer seen as a service towards the “common good”? Is there any understanding of the term “common good”? Do politicians, civil servants, business interests and NGOs conceive public life as the source of power for the benefit of oneself, one’s family, party, friends, friends of friends, clients and cronies. Such attitudes have grave consequences for those who are weakest and most vulnerable in society: they are definitely one source of injustice.

The utilitarian outlook and ethical disorientation pervading contemporary society leads to decisions that are not transparent, and weaken the accountability of decision-makers. Perhaps we are living an epoch in history where good role models are missing in public affairs. In turn, this erodes people’s confidence both in politics as a public service and a “noble art” as it was hailed by the late Pope Paul VI.

The human person is both sacred and social. We realise our dignity and rights in relationship with others, in community. Human beings grow and achieve fulfilment in community. Human dignity can only be realised and protected in the context of relationships with the wider society.

How we organize our society − in economics and politics, in law and policy − directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow. The obligation to “love thy neighbour” has an individual dimension, but it also requires a broader social commitment. Everyone has a responsibility to contribute to the good of the whole society, to the common good.

“There is no better way to establish political life on a truly human basis than by fostering an inward sense of justice and kindliness, and of service to the common good, and by strengthening basic convictions as to the true nature of the political community and the aim, right exercise, and sphere of action of public authority” (n. 73; The Pastoral Constitution of the Church in the Modern World – Gaudium et Spes , Vatican II).

In this climate of loss of trust in public institutions and officials, and given the challenges confronting policymakers, what guidance can our faith offer, especially to those who are involved in public affairs?

This question is the central concern of a retreat led by Edward Warrington, lecturer in public policy at the University of Malta and myself. The retreat which is organised by the Centre for Ignatian Spirituality will take place at Mount St Joseph Retreat House, Mosta between Friday and Sunday.

For further information contact me on pierregmsj@gmail.com or 2276 0258 or 9925 4535.