Freedom and Community - Softcover

Simon, Yves R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0823221075 ISBN 13: 9780823221073

Publisher: Fordham University Press, 2001

Synopsis

The theory of liberty here propounded by Simon, along with his analysis of authority, democracy, and practical wisdom, contains the elements of a political philosophy that can provide direction to other contemporary political theorists of our times. While the latter have gathered great masses of political facts, they have lacked a normative set of ideas that can make these facts meaningful and useful to political society. Simon’s position as a philosopher rather than as a political scientist, is that while there is a science of social and political facts, a normative moral philosophy that knows the ends of human action is necessary because people make good or bad use of their freedom.

As always, Simon here writes with a lucidity and moderation that will be satisfying to reasonable people looking for a way out of skepticism and uncertainty. He was no dogmatist, but he knew what he knew and what he did not know. This is the beginning of wisdom and a model for philosophers.

About this title

About the Author

Yves R. Simon was a French Catholic political philosopher. He was a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame, and was a member of the Committee on Social Thought at the University of Chicago. His work was in the realm of Thomism or scholastic philosophy, as well as moral and political philosophy. He had ten publications including A General Theory of Authority, Philosophy of Democratic Government, and Freedom and Community.

Edition details

• Publisher: Fordham University Press
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0823221075
• ISBN 13: 9780823221073
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 201