Ethics in a Democracy: A Philosophical Quest

This collection provides a view of what's essential in a genuine democracy. Every citizen of every democracy is responsible for thinking about the best course of action both for individual choices & for the republic as a whole. In a democracy reasoning & open inquiry replace commandments, rules & regulations. Liberty takes the form of autonomy. The roots of democratic wisdom extend to ancient China & Greece. Modern forms of democracy emerged in the 18th century in America & Europe. The contemporary quest for democracy involves all people. What are the fundamental principles that shape authentic democracy? What form of thinking & education is appropriate for an enlightened democracy? The dialectical method employed in individual texts & the structure of this collection emphasizes questions rather than answers. Four of the selections are presented in audio form on CDs as a way of encouraging dialog & engaging the reader/ listener.
CONTENTS:
1/Introduction/Lao Zi's Dao De Jing (Audio).
2/Religion/Uemura, On the Natural Integrity of Plato's Philosophy; Plato's Euthyphro (Text/Audio).
3/Politics/Plato's Apology (Text/Audio).
4/Law/Plato's Crito (Text/Audio).
5/Reason/Kant's What is Enlightenment?; Logical Thinking.
6/Universality/Kant's Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysics of Morals.
7/Freedom/Mill's On Liberty.
8/Rights/Declarations of Freedom & Human Dignity.
9/Community/Kant's Lasting Peace.
10/Goodness/Plato's Gorgias.