The House We Live in: Virtue, Wisdom, and Pluralism

Right-wing Christian fundamentalists, white ethnonationalists, and economic populists are attacking liberalism, pluralism, and democratic governance, while liberal democracies are failing to cultivate and transmit the values necessary for individual and collective flourishing. The House We Live In explores the commonalities underlying three classical approaches to virtue ethics to develop a flourishing-based ethics capable of addressing these problems. It emphasizes the moral and intellectual virtues that promote flourishing, the diversity of ways in which we may flourish, and the factors all flourishing lives share. It also addresses problems in domestic and foreign policy and the difficulties in talking to each other across the political divide from a flourishing-based perspective.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 01 September 2023
Publisher: Equinox Publishing Ltd

Right-wing Christian fundamentalists, white ethnonationalists, and economic populists are relentless in their assault on the values of liberalism, pluralism, and democratic governance. Simultaneously, liberal democracies struggle to nurture and impart the essential values, wisdom, and virtues necessary for individual and collective flourishing. These democracies appear increasingly incapable of navigating diverse visions of the good life, rooted in regional, ethnic, racial, religious, generational, and socioeconomic differences. Aspiring autocrats and social media organizations exploit these divisions to augment their power or gain profits, leading to heightened tribalization and emotional polarization.

Addressing these challenges necessitates a deeper understanding of human flourishing and the virtues that enable it. In The House We Live In, the author delves into the commonalities underlying three classical approaches to virtue ethics: Aristotelian, Buddhist, and Confucian. Through this exploration, the book develops a flourishing-based ethics capable of addressing the challenges faced by liberal democracies. The book examines the moral and intellectual virtues that foster flourishing, the diverse pathways to prosperity, and the common factors that underpin all flourishing lives. It demonstrates how a flourishing-based ethics can serve as a corrective to the historical Western emphasis on individualism, at the expense of community. Furthermore, the book addresses issues in domestic and foreign policy and the complexities of communicating across political divides from a flourishing-based perspective.

The book serves as a reaffirmation of pluralism, the liberal democratic tradition, and the importance of adopting a pragmatic approach to living together, despite seemingly insurmountable differences. It encourages readers to embrace diversity, promote inclusivity, and strive for a society that values and celebrates the richness of human experiences. By embracing the principles of flourishing-based ethics, we can create a more harmonious, equitable, and prosperous world for all.

Weight: 326g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800503465