A Just Society

By (author) Michael Boylan Professor of Philosophy, Marymount University, USA

Publication date:

04 August 2004

Length of book:

274 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Dimensions:

234x183mm
7x9"

ISBN-13: 9780742533264

A Just Society represents a complete account of Boylan's original worldview theory of ethics and social philosophy. The author sets out the foundation and application of the personal worldview imperative (for ethics) and the shared community worldview imperative (for social philosophy). These form the structure for a rights-based deontological theory that is holistic and underscored by an understanding of the good will that incorporates novel depictions of the sincere and authentic agent who displays sympathy, care, openness, and love. In the end, A Just Society strikes a balance between extreme liberalism (libertarianism) and those advocating the rule of the general will (utilitarianism). As such, the book makes an important contribution to ethical and political theory, as well as grounding an original approach to public philosophy.

Part 1 Preface: Normative Worldview
Part 2 I A Just Person
Chapter 3 Justification in Ethics
Chapter 4 The Personal Worldview Imperative
Chapter 5 The Embedded Values Approach
Chapter 6 Religion and Aesthetics
Part 7 II A Just Society
Chapter 8 Diversity and the Common Body of Knowledge
Chapter 9 The Shared Community Worldview Imperative
Chapter 10 Justice
Chapter 11 Public Policy

This is not an ordinary book on what counts as a just person and just society. It is an extraordinary explanation of how a society can transform itself from an unjust society into a just one, and, more importantly, how a chaotic self can become an integrated self able and willing to create and sustain a community. Particularly impressive about Boylan's book is his chapter on public policy, be it at the local, national, or global level. Rarely is an author able to move between theory and practice as adroitly as Boylan. His book is a must to read.