History of modern Europe

This article discusses the opinions of Metternich on ethics and morality, his attack on thinkers, and his recommendations for a freer constitution, joint obligation fulfillment, and freedom of the press. It also includes references for further reading.

HISTORY MODERN EUROPE1
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HISTORY MODERN EUROPE2
History of modern Europe
Question One
In my opinion I believe that Metternich is right and wrong at the same time. This is
because, moral or ethical systems do not depend on the established cultural systems and
everyone has the right to either reject or abide by them based on his reasoning. There are no set
standards of good or evil hence people have the right to make their ultimate decisions based on
the situations there are in. Therefore, any opinion on ethics or morality is subject to each
person’s perspective but not the general community. This is why, to some point, I believe
Metternich was right. On contrary, a community that does not have a notion that there are
standards which define what is “right” or “wrong” does have the ability to make judgements.
Basing on this reasoning, I believe Metternich was wrong.
Question Two
I strongly believe that Metternich was wrong. This is because he did not state whether the
ideas were analytically wrong or not before attacking thinkers. He should have given a
justification and an explanation as to why he believed that these thinkers undermined traditional
practices and authority. This is because justification and explanation of actions is relevant to
ethics, philosophy law as well as political philosophy. People’s ideas should never be judged on
how they affect others behavior or thinking since morality is mostly driven by what is right or
wrong which depends on individual or societal opinions and reasoning. Therefore, these ideas
should never be judged based on how false or true they seem to be, or how positive or negative
they affect people’s thinking, but on individuals reasoning coupled with explanation and
justification.

HISTORY MODERN EUROPE3
Question Three
Metternich recommended need for a freer constitution (Ahsan 1818). This
recommendation was essential in curbing negative influence as it was crucial in ensuring that
there was freedom in France. Metternich also recommended that there was need for the
confederation to call on each individual part in a bid to fulfill joint obligation (Billinger 983).
This recommendation would ensure that the course of actions that were bound to each individual
would be easily fulfilled. This would be achieved since, it would be much simpler to fulfil the
obligations as an individual state after they have been fulfilled by the confederation. Lastly,
Metternich recommended the need for freedom of the press. This would ensure that any activities
that would lead to a rebellion were tolerated at early stages.

HISTORY MODERN EUROPE4
References
Ahsan, Muhammad. "Metternich, conservative Europhilia and contemporary Europe: some
abstractions from a world restored: Metternich, Castlereagh and the problems of peace,
1812-1822 by henry Kissinger." Journal of European Studies (02589680) 33.2 (2017).
Billinger, Robert D. "Wolfram Siemen. Metternich: Stratege und Visionär. Eine Biografie.
Munich: CH Beck Verlag, 2016. Pp. 983, 77 fig." Austrian History Yearbook 49 (2018):
295-297.