Politics and Ethics

The first problem discussed in this chapter is whether politics and ethics are somehow related or if they are to be treated as completely separate areas. This leads Løgstrup to discuss the golden rule which he sees as a tool for connecting politics and ethics through the reversal of roles it involves. There are two separate pitfalls here, which involve either seeing the golden rule as a mere rule of reciprocity, or indulging in Schwärmerei, i.e. indulging in an overly optimistic conception of human good-hearted nature. This then again leads to a discussion of how the good Samaritan actually acts in a loving way out there on the road, whereas a political Samaritan could be conceived of as someone who tries to transpose love into the field of politics.