For the Good of the World: Is Global Agreement on Global Challenges Possible? reviewed

We look at this thought provoking book by A. C. Grayling. You can see more about For the Good of the World on this website. 

For the Good of the World Is Global Agreement on Global Challenges Possible? reviewed

As war in some shape or form looks certain to break out in Ukraine you have to wonder if the question asked by the subtitle of this book is even remotely possible. Having seen the world descend into Trumpian politics of voter disenfranchisement, self uninterested and anti environmental populism, is it really possible to reach any sort of agreement. We seem to be in a period of wide disagreement between different sides of the political fence. Therefore it seems an particularly challenging topic to discuss, desirable though it may be.

In the book’s first four chapters A.C. Grayling identifies and describes the issues faced coherently and in a well written way, if perhaps a little depressing too, but such is the subject matter he has to work with. The final chapter, The Solution is naturally the most important one, and, it would have been more enlightening to have had more depth and explanation of if there are actually any grounds for hope to optimism.

Naturally, while Putin currently takes us to a darker place, this does not mean things may yet turn out in a more positive than hopeful for manner. Similarly with the US, and the manoeuvrings by the Republican Party to continue to enable Trump will surely end at some point, but, with 3 Supreme Court justices already appointment, maybe the damage is going to play out for longer than anyone would have hoped for.

Grayling’s book, or at least the title suggests that there are more reasons to be optimistic, but, having read the final chapter twice, it is hard to point to anything that is specifically giving any grounds for holding this opinion. Perhaps the darkest hour is the one before the dawn, let us hope so?

More about the book

‘A must read’ Gordon Brown

‘A truly excellent book’ Sir David King

The three biggest challenges facing the world today, in A. C. Grayling’s view, are climate change, technology and justice.

In his timely new book, he asks: can human beings agree on a set of values that will allow us to confront the numerous threats facing the planet, or will we simply continue with our disagreements and antipathies as we collectively approach our possible extinction?

As every day brings new stories about extreme weather events, spyware, lethal autonomous weapons systems, and the health imbalance between the northern and southern hemispheres, Grayling’s question – Is Global Agreement on Global Challenges Possible? – becomes ever more urgent.

The solution he proposes is both pragmatic and inspiring.

More about the author

A. C. Grayling is the Founder and Principal of the New College of the Humanities at Northeastern University, London, and its Professor of Philosophy. Among his many books are The God Argument, Democracy and Its Crisis, The History of Philosophy, The Good State and The Frontiers of Knowledge. He has been a regular contributor to The Times, Guardian, Financial Times, Independent on Sunday, Economist, New Statesman, Prospect and New European. He appears frequently on radio and TV, including Newsnight and CNN News. He lives in London.

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