Four centuries separate John Milton from the present day, but his work "Paradise Lost" continues to inspire and challenge through universal themes that resonate with contemporary ethics.

We are taken on an intellectual and moral journey that transcends the ages, placing human nature and its intrinsic complexity at the core, carefully exploring the idea that we are beings endowed with free will and capable of making choices that shape our destiny. Individual responsibility emerges as a leitmotif, reminding us that our decisions always have consequences.

Ethics and morality permeate the narrative, challenging understanding and the distinction between good and evil, emphasising the importance of acting according to ethical principles and warning of the consequences of transgressing moral norms.

The quest for redemption and moral growth is also a vital theme, presented through Adam and Eve's search for redemption after the fall, suggesting that the potential to overcome our flaws and build a morally virtuous life is within everyone's reach.

The beauty of divine creation is celebrated through encouraging, valuing and preserving nature. Presently, environmental responsibility, sustainability and its defence have never been more present. Respect for creation is a value that transcends the ages, becoming an eternal concern.

"Paradise Lost" offers a profound vision of humanity, freedom of choice, individual responsibility, and the pursuit of virtue only possible through goodness.

Is Paradise lost?

Much later, Marcel Proust would tell us, "The lost paradises are only in ourselves".