Full Idea
The fact of pluralism means that the hope of political community must be abandoned, if by such a community we mean a political society united in affirming a general and comprehensive conception of the good.
Gist of Idea
In a pluralist society we can't expect a community united around one conception of the good
Source
John Rawls (The Idea of Overlapping Consensus [1987]), quoted by Will Kymlicka - Community 'legitimacy'
Book Reference
'A Companion to Contemporary Political Phil', ed/tr. Goodin,R.E/Pettit,Philip [Blackwell 1995], p.376
A Reaction
A moderate pluralism might be manageable, but strong, diverse and dogmatic beliefs among sub-groups probably make it impossible.
Related Idea
Idea 23383 Some multiculturalists defended the rights of cohesive minorities against liberal individualism [Kymlicka]