Krisis in die Koers – en hoe daar weer Koers in die hedendaagse Norme- en Waardekrisis kan kom

Abstract

It is generally accepted today that we are experiencing a radical and world-wide normative and value crisis. In comparison with similar crises of the past, the present one seems to be deepergoing and far-reaching. This philosophical reflection is an effort to trace the underlying or root causes for this crisis. It also tries to find a solution from a Christian-philosophical perspective. To do so the following steps are taken: (1) The first part consists of a brief historical survey to indicate how this crisis gradually developed during the past 2500 years of Western thinking. (2) It is followed by a systematic exposition of how the Reformational philosophy of the previous century tried, by way of its doctrine of God’s creation ordinances, to overcome the normative crisis. (3) Because some contemporary representatives of a Reformational philosophy do not fully agree with their predecessors, their critical questions about a creation order are reviewed. (4) While the preceding sections deal with the problem of a deviation in direction, the last part asks the question how a new course can be opened in this crisis of norms and values.