Debating the Good Society: A Quest to Bridge America's Moral Divide - Hardcover

Schmookler, Andrew Bard

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0262194147 ISBN 13: 9780262194143

Publisher: MIT Press, 1999

Synopsis

Debating the Good Society probes two questions lying at the heart of the ongoing culture war incontemporary America: Where does goodness come from, and how is goodsocial order to be achieved?

Through the ingenious means of a fictional Internet conversation among two dozen or so Americans from various walks of life and every shade of the ideological spectrum, Debating the Good Society probes two questions lying at the heart of the ongoing culture war in contemporary America: Where does goodness come from, and how is good social order to be achieved? Traditionalists and conservatives, who tend to view human nature as inherently sinful, argue that good order must be imposed from above, by parental authority and ruling powers, by the forces of law and tradition, and, ultimately, by God. Counterculturalists and liberals, who tend to believe in the inherent goodness of human nature, claim that well-supported children will develop into well-ordered adults and that adults empowered to make their own choices will form a healthy, well-ordered society. These opposing visions underlie a host of current controversies, including philosophies of child-rearing and education, social and political policy, sexual morality, and the evolution-creation debate. By exposing the limitations of both points of view, Andrew Bard Schmookler shows how the culture war presents a challenge to all Americans. This challenge is to integrate the half-truths advanced by both sides into a higher wisdom, one that promises to take the American experiment―to see whether humans can enjoy both the blessings of liberty and the fruits of good order―to the next level of its evolution, toward which it has been straining for the better part of a century.

About this title

About the Author

Andrew Bard Schmookler is a writer and talk-radio host. His books include The Parable of the Tribes: The Problem of Power in Social Evolution, Out of Weakness: Healing the Wounds That Drive Us to War, and Living Posthumously: Confronting the Loss of Vital Powers.

Review

Finally, the people who stopped talking to each other in the sixties are talking again, and their points are being soberly and sensibly discussed rather than dismissed out of hand, as was our habit for years. The book thus reads like a breadth of fresh air or a draught of clear water, the more so since Schmookler has over the years perfected a style that is lucid, direct, honest, and accessible. The book's audience is any thinking American, and its issues are timely indeed. Schmookler's cholarship is sound; and the method by which he has put existing positions into play with each other is unique and unprecedented in some ways and, I would add, will soon become indispensable.

―Frederick Turner, Founders Professor of Arts and Humanities, University of Texas at Dallas, and author of The Culture of Hope: A New Birth of the Classical Spirit

Andrew Bard Schmookler has written an engaging, thought-provoking book. It offers a welcome discussion of moral values and valuing. Turn off the tube and settle into a comfortable chair.

―Thomas Magnell, Department of Philosophy, Drew University, and Editor-in-Chief, The Journal of Value Inquiry

Enormously original, both in its style and in its content. The book is unquestionably thoughtful and thought-provoking.

―John Immerwahr, Professor of Philosophy and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Villanova University

Americans want a good society, but they have forgotten how to debate about what social goodness is. Andrew Schmookler, a brilliant moral philosopher with his ear to the ground, is just the debate coach the country needs. Debating the Good Society has years of thought behind it, but it could not arrive at a more opportune moment.

―Jack Miles, author of God: A Biography

Americans want a good society, but they have forgotten how to debate about what social goodness is. Andrew Schmookler, a brilliant moral philosopher with his ear to the ground, is just the debate coach the country needs. Debating the Good Society has years of thought behind it, but it could not arrive at a more opportune moment.

―Jack Miles, author of God: A Biography

Edition details

• Publisher: MIT Press
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0262194147
• ISBN 13: 9780262194143
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 422