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Single Idea 22815

[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 7. Communitarianism / a. Communitarianism ]

Full Idea

If realising our freedom partly depends on the society and culture in which we live, then we exercise a fuller freedom if we can help determine the shape of this society and culture.

Gist of Idea

If freedom depends on society and culture, the greatest freedom is in shaping them

Source

Charles Taylor (Atomism [1979], p.47)

Book Ref

'Communitarianism and Individualism', ed/tr. Avineri,S. /de-Shalit,A. [OUP 1992], p.47


A Reaction

This is clearly in response to the critics of communitarianism who say that it is too conservative, because your values are created for you, by your community.

Related Idea

Idea 22807 If our values are given to us by society then we have no grounds to criticise them [Avineri/De-Shalit]


The 17 ideas from Charles Taylor

If the state is neutral, there won't be sufficient community to support a welfare state [Taylor,C, by Kymlicka]
The social contract sees society as constituted by and for individuals [Taylor,C]
Assigning a right based on a human capacity implies that the capacity should be developed [Taylor,C]
A right is not just a rule, but also asserts certain ideas of moral worth [Taylor,C]
For most people the primacy of rights mainly concerns freedom [Taylor,C]
Property is not essential for life, but it may be essential for independence [Taylor,C]
Our reliance on other people close to us does not imply any political obligations [Taylor,C]
If freedom depends on society and culture, the greatest freedom is in shaping them [Taylor,C]
Consistency presupposes intrinsic description [Taylor,C]
Selfhood and moral values are inextricably intertwined [Taylor,C]
To have respect for people, you must feel their claims, or their injustices, or hold them in awe [Taylor,C]
I can only be aware of myself as a person who changes by means of my personal history [Taylor,C]
Nominalists defended the sovereignty of God against the idea of natural existing good and evil [Taylor,C]
In later utilitarianism the modern stress on freedom leads to the rejection of paternalism [Taylor,C]
My aim is to map the connections between our sense of self and our moral understanding [Taylor,C]
The modern self has disengaged reason, self-exploration, and personal commitment [Taylor,C]
Willingness to risk life was the constitutive quality of the man of honour [Taylor,C]