Publications List:
THE GROWING MIND |
Ethics in a Democracy
Ethics in a Democracy
This collection of classical and contemporary texts seeks to provide a clear view of what is essential in a genuine democracy. Every citizen of every democracy is responsible for thinking about the best course of action both for individual choices and for the republic as a whole. When knowledge, power, and wealth are limited to a few people, security and order become the primary values. By contrast, in a democracy reasoning and open inquiry replace commandments, rules, and regulations. Liberty takes the form of autonomy.
The roots of democratic wisdom extend to ancient China and Greece. Modern forms of democracy emerged in the 18th century in America and Europe. The contemporary quest for democracy involves all people on all continents. What are the fundamental principles that shape authentic democracy? What form of thinking and educating citizens is appropriate for an enlightened democracy?
The dialectical method employed in individual texts and the structure of this collection as a whole emphasizes questions rather than answers. Four of the selections are presented in audio form on CDs as a way of encouraging dialogue and actively engaging the reader and the listener in the quest.