Welcome: Patterns of the Moral Life

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Welcome: Patterns of the Moral Life proposes a transformative concept that places the act of welcoming at the core of ethical living and human flourishing. This radical approach asserts that welcome is not merely a virtue or an act of kindness, but the foundational practice from which all other ethical behaviors arise. Through this lens, welcome becomes the primary orientation through which individuals and communities can achieve a harmonious and just society.
The authors contend that being a welcoming person involves a deep, ongoing moral commitment that impacts every interaction and relationship. This obligation is mutual, extending to everyone in all settings, from healthcare environments to everyday social encounters. Welcome, they assert, is not only intertwined with responsibility but precedes it, providing the necessary openness to understand and fulfill our ethical obligations.

The book's structure reflects its content, offering a series of patternsinterconnected stories, reflections, and practical examplesrather than a linear argument. These patterns illustrate how welcome influences human interaction, showing both its positive effects when present and the harm that results from its absence. Through this exploration, the authors encourage readers to embrace welcome in all aspects of life, suggesting that this practice is essential for creating inclusive, thriving communities.
Drawing on rich personal experiences in law, medicine, and theology, the authors ground their discussion in real-world stories and case studiesincluding the case of an Australian couple living near a cliff who have saved over 500 suicidal people from jumping to their deathwhere the stakes of welcome are high. Welcome is both a practical guide and an introduction to a new way of understanding the world, inviting readers to engage in the ongoing, dynamic process of becoming more welcoming and, by extension, more ethical in their everyday lives.

Author Bio

Lois Shepherd, JD, is Wallenborn Professor of Biomedical Ethics and professor of Law and Public Health Sciences at the University of Virginia. She is the co-author of Bioethics and the Law, now in its fifth edition, among other books.
Margaret E. Mohrmann, MD, PhD, is Professor Emerita of Pediatrics, Medical Education, and Religious Studies at the University of Virginia. She is the author of Attending Children: A Doctors Education among other books.