Attacks on the Family East and West: Evidence for the Erosion of a Common Good

摘要: In this essay I am concerned to allow families and “thick” communities be better appreciated as foundational our human lives not perceived merely derivative. To set about accomplishing this, what offer is less an argument effect than a highlighting of historical philosophical impediments seeing matters in way. construe these deep, influential often well-comprehended biases. They grow primarily out commitment individualism that poorly thought through. enumerate comment on number individualist undercurrents, from Newton’s atomism recent secular existentialism. Later, suggest Enlightenment notions universality autonomy only contribute “anti-family” biases, but also paradoxically engender vacuous sort “commonality” plays into equally empty the common good. interim, however, draw both Sellars Hegel forward richer notion “individual” enables us appreciate spiritual life central role thick play its constitution all life. conclude with some brief reflections importance empathy contemporary world.