Single Idea 22814

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 7. Communitarianism / b. Against communitarianism]

Full Idea

We must all be nurtures by others as children, and we only flourish as adults in relationship with friends, mates, children and so on. But this has nothing to do with any obligation to belong to political society.

Gist of Idea

Our reliance on other people close to us does not imply any political obligations

Source

Charles Taylor (Atomism [1979], p.42)

Book Reference

'Communitarianism and Individualism', ed/tr. Avineri,S. /de-Shalit,A. [OUP 1992], p.42


A Reaction

He is defending community, but not at that minimal human level. Political obligations follows from our need for a wider society, to achieve justice, education, travel, health etc. There are no rights without a society