“Ethics – The State – The Person” is a work in which Dr. Artur Victoria surprises the public with his unique capacity for pragmatic analysis of the major issues facing humanity in a globalised world where there is a constant and rapid change in the complex challenges posed by persistent political, economic, social, environmental and security uncertainties. In this context, it becomes imperative to reflect on the paths to follow in the search for peace and sustainable progress on a global scale. This work is written with exceptional quality and remarkable scientific rigour. These factors, together with the high esteem, friendship and consideration I have for Dr. Artur Victoria, were more than enough reasons to prompt me to accept to preface his new book. Artur Victoria is, without a doubt, a relevant figure in our society, with an academic background of excellence and a vast professional experience. The functions performed within the scope of the legal profession, as well as the positions of organizational leadership and institutional coordination he has held, in national and international non-governmental institutions, associated with the constant research and scientific production developed throughout his life, credit him as an eminent thinker and a reference in ethical, geopolitical, governmental and security issues. In fact, his thinking and critical capacity are clearly evident in this book, which opens doors for reflection by all those interested in the most pressing questions facing the future of humanity, from the philosophical, legal, economic, political, social and environmental fields. To give the reader the context of the problem it sets out to address, Arthur Victoria refers his narrative to the Treaty of Westphalia, as the moment that was at the origin of International Law and the balance of power between sovereign nations, as we know them today. If, on the one hand, this event opened the doors to the Enlightenment, to rapid scientific advance and to liberal democracies, on the other hand, it was the harbinger of the end of empires, which culminated with the First World War, and of the emergence of totalitarian regimes that, in a generalised way, characterised Europe at the beginning of the 20th century, leading to the most striking conflict in the history of humanity, the Second World War. More than 70 years after the end of this conflict, which gave rise to the United Nations Organization and whose inspiring principles, in the words of one of the most prominent Portuguese thinkers of our time – Professor Adriano Moreira – are “One Single World” and “Earth,the common home of Mankind”, the challenges to world governance and peace remain and are rapidly changing. Despite the efforts made by the international community and the scientific and technological advances that recent years have brought us, we have not witnessed a proportional evolution in the quality of life of the world’s populations across the board. These factors necessarily lead us to consider that the concepts defending equal rights and human dignity, which should be at the heart of all national and international policies, are not valid if they are nothing more than theories proclaimed only by activists, without concerted intervention and mobilization by States. In this context, and also taking into consideration the two most recent events that have transformed societies and their way of life, referring of course to the COVID-19 pandemic and the armed conflict that has been raging in Ukraine since 24 February 2022, I am pleased to highlight the relevance of the topic addressed and the importance and depth of the author’s impartial and objective, through, throughout the text, which he divides into three fundamental parts – the State, the individual, and the environment – presenting, as a connecting thread, the elements of ethics and morality, which he considers to be the basis for resolving the major issues of public interest, in an increasingly dynamic, complex and unstable world. As Yuval Noah Harari states in his book 21 Lessons for the 21st Century: “A global world puts unprecedented pressure on our personal conduct and morality”. It is in this line of thought that the author begins by addressing the central role of the State in making decisions about what to do in the light of the great challenges of the 21st century, quickly changing the widespread habit of not defining future goals and not planning the necessary policies to achieve them. Within this framework, Artur Victoria discusses the main functions and responsibilities of the State and the importance of ethics for the public interest, corporations, the legal system and democracies. He also addresses the need for State reform with a view to a new model of community coexistence, the paradigm of national defence and security, and information systems. In the chapter dedicated to the Person, Artur Victoria invites the reader to reflect on the ethics and morals that should govern every member of a changing society. For this, he considers it necessary a deep meditation process, in an intellectual exercise of balance between the definition of the ambitions and goals of each one, in order to find an answer to the question “(...) how should I live my life? (...)”. The answers found must necessarily be compatible with those which overlap them, this is, those of society and the organisations to which each one belongs. However, the author takes this exercise of reflection further, addressing the need for the establishment of ethical and moral codes by governmental and non-governmental organisations, as an integral part of society. The analysis of such a deep and complex theme would not be complete without an adequate approach to the biggest problem facing the sustainable survival of humanity in the medium and long term. It is in this context that Artur Victoria reflects on the environment and on the problem of climate change resulting from mankind’s exploitation of natural resources, associated with the exponential growth of the world’s population since the beginning of the 19th century. The reader is also invited to meditate on the paradigm of behavioural change and environmental awareness, as well as on alternative strategies to be outlined for an economically and financially sustainable development, based on the maintenance of social and cultural values of the different populations, with scientific research and technological development playing an absolutely key role in the necessary advances towards an intelligent sustainability on a planetary scale. I conclude with the conviction that, in a world that is increasingly uncertain and full of irrelevant information, and in which ethics is often forgotten by governments and organisations, causing States and individuals to behave in deviant ways, reason gives us the power to better define the direction to follow in the search for a more prosperous, egalitarian, safe and sustainable future for humanity. This book by Artur Victoria certainly contributes to that goal, providing the reader with a clear vision of the issues that must be analysed and reflected upon, in the certainty that the approach to ethics applied to the State and to the person is the key we need to foster the hope necessary for the perpetuation of our civilisation as we know it. As Professor Adriano Moreira said, it is imperative not to allow the “creed of interests” to override the “creed of values”. * Admiral António Silva Ribeiro held the position of Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Portugal from March 1, 2018. Previously, as a General officer, he served as Chief of Staff of the Navy and National Maritime Authority, General Director of the Maritime Authority and General Commander of the Maritime Police, Superintendent of Material, General Director of the Hydrographical Institute, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy, Secretary of the Admiralty Council and Member of the Consultative Committee for Search and Rescue. In addition to his military career, he is an academic with specialization in Strategy and Political Science and History. The Admiral teaches and supervises research at Universities and Research Centres. He published hundreds of articles/essays in national and foreign newspapers and magazines and he is a regular speaker at conferences about Military and Political Affairs, International Relations and Strategy. As an Academic he is a visiting Professor of Strategy at the Instituto Superior de Ciências Sociais e Políticas and a military teacher at the Naval School. He holds the title of Professor at the Higher Institute of Information and Administration Sciences. He is also a specialist in maritime and military strategy, international politics, military sociology, military and maritime history and hydrography history. Admiral António Silva Ribeiro is the author of several books, three of which published abroad.
