A deeper freedom : liberal democracy as an everyday morality / Charles W. Anderson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Anderson, Charles W., 1934-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Democracy--Moral and ethical aspects.

Democracy.

Liberalism--Moral and ethical aspects.

Liberalism.

Social ethics.

Physical Description:

xi, 208 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Madison : University of Wisconsin Press, [2002]

Summary:

Today those who believe in liberal democracy must reexamine and reaffirm their commitments. Here, Charles Anderson probes our urgent concerns and questions. Even those who believe that liberal democracy is the best form of government may think that liberal individualism leads to selfishness, permissiveness, and irresponsibility. Many would teach a cultural or religious counter-ethic to offset the excesses of freedom.

Grounding his view in classic philosophic and religious ideals, Anderson argues that a deeper vision of individuality and freedom can lead to both a sound public philosophy and a worthy personal ethic. In the same way that we as humans try to understand our place in nature and the cosmos, Anderson seeks to understand how we, as unique individuals, can understand our place among our fellow humans. Beginning with friendship and love, he extends his inquiry to the relationships of teaching, community, work, and democracy. Anderson shows how the natural desire of free people to find meaning in relationships with one another can lead to depth and fullness both in private and public life.

Contents:

A dialogue between generations

The awakening and the meaning of it all

Living philosophically and living well

What is freedom for?

Individuals and the powers within

On human frailty and the problem of evil

Individuality and relationship

Teaching and learning

Community

Working relationships

Democracy

Who do we think we are?.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 201-205) and index.

ISBN:

029917610X

OCLC:

47893720