Foundations of civic engagement : rethinking social and political philosophy

Author(s)

    • Ellis, Ralph D.
    • Sauer, James B.
    • Fischer, Norman (Norman J.)

Bibliographic Information

Foundations of civic engagement : rethinking social and political philosophy

Ralph D. Ellis, Norman Fischer, James B. Sauer

University Press of America, c2006

  • : pbk

Available at  / 3 libraries

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Note

Includes bibliographical references (p. [319]-323) and index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

Foundations of Civic Engagement is a comprehensive survey and reassessment of the entire field of social and political philosophy. Suitable for use as a primary text for courses on political thought, this book explores the basic arguments of the most important historical and contemporary figures and offers a thematic critique and integration of these philosophies. This dynamic book includes in-depth discussions of Ancient Greek, modern and contemporary theories of communitarianism, social contract, feminism, classical liberal rights-based approaches, African American philosophy, postmodernism, Marxism, critical theory, and theories of communicative actions (e.g. Habermas). Throughout philosophical history, there is a tension between social development of the political person-as in personalist, communitarian, feminist, postmodern, and Continental thought-and the abstract contractual principles needed for impartial justice and freedom of conscience. This chasm can be bridged to some extent by combining ideal contractualism with the tools of feminist theory, discourse ethics, and critical theory. Foundations of Civic Engagement evaluates these tensions, as well as the criticisms and response to criticism for each theory, in order to promote open dialogue, analysis, and a realistic assessment of each philosophy.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Preface Chapter 2 1. Reopening Fundamental Questions Chapter 3 2. Politics and Value Theory: A Complex Relationship Chapter 4 3. Formative Concepts from Early Philosophers: Plato and Aristotle Chapter 5 4. Hobbes and the Origins of Modern Social Contract Theory Chapter 6 5. Hobbesian Difficulties and Locke's Rights-Based Approach Chapter 7 6. Social Contract Theories, Equality, and Liberty: Rousseau and Kant Chapter 8 7. The Normative Basis of Marxism Chapter 9 8. Contemporary Thinking about Justice: Rawls and Nozick Chapter 10 9. Contemporary Thinking about Justice: The Feminist Critique Chapter 11 10. Justice as if Context Mattered: Communitarian Theories of Justice Chapter 12 11. Back to Impartiality and Beyond: European Voices in the Justice Conversation Chapter 13 12. The Postmodern Riposte: Contesting Universalism Chapter 14 13. Privacy and the Public Life Part 15 References Part 16 Index Part 17 About the Authors

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