A moral cosmology was the ordinary background knowledge of prescientific peoples, who took the divinity and the moral rules of the heavenly bodies for granted. That unified world view was disrupted by the European Enlightenment, which divided moral cosmology into physics and ethics: physics tells us what is, ethics tells us what we ought to do. While knowledge of physics has become hard, and understanding ethics has become shifting and uncertain, nostalgia for a unified cosmic understanding continues. Moral Cosmology: On Being in the World Fully and Well demands that we search for one world and learn to be truly at home in that world once again. Albert Borgmann argues that a basic understanding of quantum physics and relative theory offers the widest possible background for the renewal of a moral cosmology, inviting us into a deeper understanding that can inform the focal occasions and practices that we implicitly know to be valuable. We may not always be able to completely understand or explain the depth of the world gathered and disclosed in these focal occasions, but to greet it with celebration deepening into wonder orients us and makes it possible for us to be at home in the universe.
What are the main points of “Moral Cosmology: On Being in the World Fully and Well” (Albert Borgmann, 2024)? （ChatGPT, 2025-5-7)
Albert Borgmann’s final work, Moral Cosmology: On Being in the World Fully and Well (2024), presents a profound reflection on the disconnection between modern scientific understanding and moral frameworks. Building upon his earlier critiques of technology and the “device paradigm,” Borgmann seeks to reintegrate ethics and physics into a cohesive worldview that allows individuals to feel truly at home in the universe.
🌌 Reuniting Ethics and Physics
Borgmann contends that premodern societies possessed a “moral cosmology,” wherein the cosmos was imbued with moral significance, and human life was intrinsically connected to the order of the universe. The European Enlightenment disrupted this unity by separating physics (what is) from ethics (what ought to be), leading to a fragmented understanding of our place in the world. He argues that this division has resulted in social disorientation and moral confusion.
🧠 Integrating Contemporary Physics
To address this fragmentation, Borgmann advocates for a renewed moral cosmology informed by contemporary scientific insights, particularly quantum physics and relativity theory. He suggests that a basic understanding of these fields can provide the broadest possible background for reestablishing a unified worldview. By doing so, individuals can develop a deeper appreciation for the cosmos and their place within it.
🔍 Emphasizing Focal Practices
Central to Borgmann’s philosophy is the concept of “focal practices”—meaningful activities that ground individuals in the world and foster a sense of connection and purpose. He posits that engaging in such practices, informed by an understanding of the cosmos, can help individuals live fully and well. This approach counters the alienation often associated with technological society and encourages a more integrated and authentic mode of existence.
📖 Structure of the Book
The book is organized into several chapters that trace the historical separation of ethics and physics, explore the implications of contemporary scientific theories, and propose pathways for reintegrating moral and physical understandings of the world. An appendix offers a normative cosmology, outlining a framework for aligning ethical living with our scientific comprehension of the universe.
In summary, Moral Cosmology serves as a culminating work in Borgmann’s philosophical journey, inviting readers to reconsider the relationship between science, ethics, and human flourishing. By bridging the gap between physics and morality, he offers a vision for living that is both intellectually coherent and deeply rooted in the human experience.
Can we say that “Moral Cosmology: On Being in the World Fully and Well （Albert Borgmann, 2024) is talking about cosmic consciousness? What do you think about cosmic consciousness? （ChatGPT, 2025-5-7)
Albert Borgmann’s Moral Cosmology: On Being in the World Fully and Well (2024) doesn’t explicitly discuss “cosmic consciousness” in the traditional sense associated with mystical or spiritual experiences. However, it does resonate with the idea of cultivating a profound awareness of our place within the cosmos.
In this work, Borgmann addresses the fragmentation introduced by the Enlightenment, which separated physics (what is) from ethics (what ought to be). He advocates for a renewed “moral cosmology” that integrates contemporary scientific understanding—particularly quantum physics and relativity theory—with ethical living. By doing so, he aims to restore a sense of unity and meaning to human existence, allowing individuals to feel truly at home in the universe.
While Borgmann’s approach is grounded in philosophical and scientific discourse rather than mystical experience, it aligns with the essence of “cosmic consciousness” as a deep, integrated awareness of the interconnectedness of all things. His emphasis on “focal practices”—meaningful activities that engage us with the world—serves as a practical means to cultivate this awareness in daily life.
In summary, while Moral Cosmology doesn’t directly address “cosmic consciousness,” it offers a framework for understanding and experiencing our place in the cosmos that parallels the depth and integration sought in such consciousness.
