Universal Dignity and the Liberal Self

Liberalism is the defining political philosophy of the modern-day West. Whether it be individual rights, equality before the law, or constitutionalism, liberal ideals and institutions appear unquestionable, if not inevitable as the so-called “end of history.” But in recent decades, liberalism has faced political and philosophical challenges. This reading group will focus on communitarian thinkers who find fault with liberalism's individualistic underpinnings. Over three sessions, we will harness their insights to not only evaluate liberalism, but consider political alternatives.

On Thursday November 2, join us as we discuss Peter Berger's "On the Obsolescence of the Concept of Honor," a critique of liberalism's insistence on universal human dignity. Does human dignity fail to capture fundamental aspects of our identity? Please find a link to the readings below.

This seminar is part of our Fall 2023 series Liberalism and Its Critics.