On Betrayal

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Adultery, treason, and apostasy have lost their former weight, yet stories of betrayal abound, reflecting a breach of loyalty that many have experienced. Avishai Margalit explores the tension between the prevalence of betrayal and its diminishing significance, highlighting the conflict between ethics and morality, as well as thick and thin human relations. The work provides a philosophical examination of thick human relations—those with friends, family, and core communities—through the lens of betrayal. Judgments of betrayal are often inconsistent; a whistle-blower may be seen as a hero by some and a backstabber by others. Despite these varied perceptions, the essence of betrayal remains consistent across cultures and time. It erodes thick trust, the foundation of our most meaningful relationships. Margalit also addresses the contemporary focus on trust among strangers, which is governed by morality, contrasting it with the ethics of our deeper connections. Drawing from literary, historical, and personal experiences, including his childhood during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Margalit’s insightful account examines the nature of our thick relationships and revives the concept of fraternity.