Five Moral Pieces

This collection seems a bit eccentric when considered as a whole, on account of the different topics covered and the different audiences and tones for which the essays were written. They are unified by the spark of clarified brilliance that defines Eco's writing, which is precise and incisive.
Though it seems absurd to select favorites from a pool of only five, Ur-Fascism stands out as a blend of personal experience, political and historical analysis, and theoretical distillation of what fascism means as a term and how it functions. On the Press also feels relevant as a discussion of where the media is as an industry and where it is going. Although this essay is limited to a specifically Italian scope, the principles are widely show more applicable--and in 1995, Eco predicted the limitations of a self-selected news source like the algorithm-based feeds available to us today. The other three are gems as well. show less

We shall not get out of this circle until it is decided that when exceptional events occur, humanity cannot afford to apply the laws currently in force, but must shoulder the responsibility of sanctioning new ones.

Five Moral Pieces is another collection of Eco's essays and lectures, these are from the 1990s and as suggested by the title refer to plotting a moral course in a world revising its codes and transmitting mediums. The first few weren't encouraging, focusing o a new virtual definition f war and whether it was possible to for the godless to be good. Interesting as always, my spirits were not encouraged until the final two essays: Ur-Fascism and Migration, Tolerance and the Intolerable. Both appear to a response to our daily show more headlines and the clamor for expulsion from Charlotte to Hamburg. show less

A decent read, for a collection of five disconnected essays. The piece on Ur-Fascism is definitely worthwhile, as are the ones on the press (even if Italian-focused, the themes resonant to modern American media) and tolerance & the intolerable. I didn't care for the essay on war; it was too abstract and removed from reality.

In his introduction, Umberto Eco writes that the five essays in this book are occasional pieces and ethical pieces. Their occasional nature arises from their being speeches given in some conferences or articles commissioned for publication. Their ethical nature is what makes them moral pieces: “they treat of what we ought to do, what we ought not to do, and what we must not do at any cost.”

What we ought to do, or what fans of Eco ought to, is read this short book – a mere 111 pages. These are only slight pieces – meaning they are short and minor essays, yet with big themes. And I hasten to add, they are highly readable pieces, even if they are structured to be knotty moral-philosophical arguments.

The essays are not of uniform show more quality. Some strikes me as well thought out, others are just plain fillers. “Reflections on War” (1991), the first essay, was written at the start of the Gulf War but its relevance surpasses its time. The principles in this polemical essay are prescient as they apply to modern warfare in general. Eco discusses on technology's role in modern war and why this outdates and revises the art of war given by Clausewitz.

Eco’s reflections in all the essays are not really too focused or too tight. Yet his conclusions and assertions, even if predictable in parts, are nonetheless powerful and explored creatively. This is because he arrived at them obliquely. Eco has this unique style of circling around ideas playfully before confronting the issues full frontal.

The essay that I consider the weakest, and which I find too theoretical, is “Ur-Fascism.” The essay typifies several hybrids of fascism and Nazism and differentiates between and among these types. It is the sort of essay that is limited by its geographic experience and scope (Europe) though not by its subjects (racism and intolerance).

My full review here: http://booktrek.blogspot.com/2009/07/five-moral-pieces-umberto-eco.html show less

Although I don't quite agree with some material with which he predicates his arguments (mostly picky historical bits that I have a tendency to give excessive importance or centrality), I like what Eco wants to do (namely, reflect on 'what it means to be moral or ethical when one doesn't believe in God') and am excited to finish this book and hear his conclusions.

"Пять эссе на темы этики" включают в себя размышления знаменитого ученого и писателя по поводу наиболее острых нравственных проблем современности.

I really enjoyed this little book and go back to it frequently. This is a group of five essays written by Eco for different publications, focusing mainly on Italian fascismo and the changes in Europe's make-up since the end of WWII. As always, Eco's writing is elegant and witty to a fault.