At a time when politics and virtue seem less compatible than oil and water, Democracy and Moral Development shows how to bring the two together. Philosopher David Norton applies classical concepts of virtue to the premises of modern democracy. The centerpiece of the book is a model of organizational management applicable to the state, business, the professions, and voluntary communities.
Democracy and Moral Development A Politics of Virtue
About the Book
Reviews
"Norton has correctly characterized the way that many people today think about morality. . . . [He] makes a good case against moral minimalism and for a more developmental conception of the individual."—Critical Review
"Political action required to reform successfully such loose ends of our culture as the societal status of adolescence and the need to provide meaningful work for everyone offers tremendous challenges. But even the first step in the direction of reform is not possible without a perceptive intellectual articulation of the prevailing conditions, coupled with an inspiring vision of the future. This admirable book provides both."—Review of Metaphysics
"Most valuable in providing a coherent framework for a range of important issues, both theoretical and practical, and in proposing concrete steps for implementing his ideas. Like Mill and John Dewey, Norton believes that active self-government should play a role in self-development."—American Political Science Review
Table of Contents
PREFACE
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1
Classical Liberalism: Individuality Recovered But Misdirected
2
Individuality Reconceived and Redirected: The Doctrine of Developmental Democracy
3
Implementation of Developmental Democracy: Focus Upon Adolescence
4
Meaningful Work to Meaningful Living: The Virtues and Politics
5
Responsibilities and Rights
6
Community as the Sociality of True Individuals
Good Government
NOTES
INDEX