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.

Foundations of Civic Engagement: Rethinking Social and Political Philosophy

Politics & Social Sciences

Ellis, Ralph D.

Fischer II, Norman J.

Sauer, James B.

Philosophy

University Press of America

Tradition and Autonomy in Plato's Euthyphro shows, through detailed commentary, that the purported opposition between tradition and autonomy is not a contradiction, but rather a necessary tension in human and political life. Norman J. Fischer II identifies the root of this tension and illuminates its various dimensions, giving an account of tradition and piety that does justice to the autonomy implicit in philosophical inquiry. This book demonstrates that the weakness in Euthyphro's understanding of the relationship between generations is one of enmity and argues for a friendlier version of piety implicit in Socrates' suggestions, actions, and arguments in the dialogue. Fischer argues that this version reveals an understanding of the human soul that both opposes that of Socrates' accusers and sheds light upon the challenge that philosophy poses to the political community. In this reading, Plato's Euthyphro is part of the defense of Socrates against the charges of impiety and corruption, one that puts into clearer relief both the common grounds of politics and philosophy and the tensions between political life and the life of the mind. clearer relief both the common grounds of politics and philosophy and the tensions between political life and the life of the mind.clearer relief both the common grounds of politics and philosophy and the tensions between political life and the life of the mind.clearer relief both the common grounds of politics and philosophy and the tensions between political life and the life of the mind.

Tradition and Autonomy in Plato's Euthyphro

Literature & Fiction

History & Criticism

Lexington Books

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Fischer II, Norman J.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Fischer II, Norman J.