A preface to morals

audiobook

A preface to morals

by Walter Lippmann

EN·~9 hours·1 chapter

Chapters

1 total

WALTER LIPPMANN

9:36:51

Description

The work opens by addressing a quietly unsettling question that many modern readers know all too well: what happens when the religious and cultural foundations of our ancestors no longer feel trustworthy? It follows the inner dialogue of those who have stepped away from inherited belief, tracing the lingering sense of emptiness that can follow the loss of certainty. By describing the everyday frustration of routines that no longer bring joy, the author invites listeners to consider how we measure purpose when old maps are gone.

Building on a rich literary tradition, the author weaves references to poets, philosophers, and the romantic longing for imagined pasts to illustrate how each generation has tried to fill the moral vacuum. The discussion moves from historical disillusionments to the present‑day struggle for a reliable criterion of value, asking whether we can construct a new ethic without reverting to familiar dogmas. Listeners are offered a thoughtful, compassionate exploration of doubt that encourages reflection without prescribing a single answer.

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Details

Language

en

Duration

~9 hours (553K characters)

Release date

2025-10-09

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

Walter Lippmann

Walter Lippmann

1889–1974

A sharp-eyed journalist and political thinker, he helped shape how modern readers understand public opinion, the news, and democracy. His books and columns made him one of the most influential American commentators of the 20th century.

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