WAS MACHT EUROPA ZUKUNFTSFÄHIG? SPEZIELLE CHANCEN UND AUFGABEN FÜR MITTELEUROPA
EUROPE – FIT FOR THE FUTURE? CHALLENGES AND TASKS

Summary/Abstract: 2014 and 2015 gave us a lot of reasons to reflect on Europe. 100 years ago the First World War began and 75 years ago the Second World War. 2015 marks 70 years since the end of the Second World War. The 20th century was a century of catastrophes with devastating consequences for Europe. In 1989/90, 25 years ago, the fall of the »Iron Curtain« had completely unexpectedly opened up a kairos for reshaping the whole of Europe in freedom. But a kairos can be wasted or bungled. There are profound forces and currents which have fundamentally determined the development of Europe and the World in recent centuries and which are likely to be crucial for the future development of the continent. The special focus of European society during the modern era, its »promethean« exploration of nature, man and society, had led during the period of the »Industrial Revolution « to a giant increase of efficiency in the fields of science, technology and economy. It is ethically indisputable, that all human activities must take into account the significance and impact of these activities and also take on responsibility. If the increase of efficiency in the fields of science, technology and economy does not properly look after the human dignity of those affected, after justice and common good, then this will individually and socially lead to the destructive consequences, to conflicts and wars.

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