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Civil Passions: Moral Sentiment and Democratic Deliberation

Edward Bell

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Published in Sharon R Krause

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In the wake of the 2016 US presidential election, many commentators have lamented the decline of civility in public discourse. The rise of social media, they argue, has created a space where people can vent their frustrations and attack others with impunity. This has led to a breakdown in civil dialogue and made it difficult to have productive conversations about important issues.

Civil Passions: Moral Sentiment and Democratic Deliberation

by Sharon R. Krause

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	280 pages

In his book Civil Passions: Moral Sentiment and Democratic Deliberation, Jürgen Habermas argues that the decline of civility is a symptom of a deeper problem in our democracy. He argues that we have lost sight of the importance of moral sentiment in public discourse. Moral sentiment, he says, is the capacity to feel empathy for others and to recognize the validity of their claims. It is what motivates us to engage in dialogue and to seek common ground.

Habermas argues that the decline of moral sentiment in public discourse is due in part to the rise of individualism and consumerism. These forces have led us to focus on our own self-interest and to see others as competitors rather than as fellow citizens. This has made it difficult to build the kind of solidarity that is necessary for a healthy democracy.

The Role of Moral Sentiment in Democratic Deliberation

Habermas argues that moral sentiment is essential for democratic deliberation. He says that it is what motivates us to listen to others, to consider their perspectives, and to engage in dialogue. Moral sentiment also helps us to recognize the validity of others' claims, even if we do not agree with them.

Habermas argues that moral sentiment is not simply a matter of feeling good about ourselves. It is also a matter of acting in accordance with our moral values. When we act in accordance with our moral values, we are not only ng what we believe is right, but we are also building the kind of solidarity that is necessary for a healthy democracy.

The Importance of Public Spheres

Habermas argues that the decline of moral sentiment in public discourse is due in part to the decline of public spheres. Public spheres are spaces where people can come together to discuss important issues and to build consensus. In the past, public spheres were often found in places like coffeehouses, churches, and town halls. Today, public spheres are increasingly being replaced by private spaces like social media and television.

Habermas argues that the decline of public spheres has made it difficult for people to build the kind of solidarity that is necessary for a healthy democracy. He says that we need to create new public spheres where people can come together to discuss important issues and to build consensus.

In Civil Passions: Moral Sentiment and Democratic Deliberation, Jürgen Habermas argues that the decline of civility in public discourse is a symptom of a deeper problem in our democracy. He argues that we have lost sight of the importance of moral sentiment in public discourse. Moral sentiment, he says, is the capacity to feel empathy for others and to recognize the validity of their claims. It is what motivates us to engage in dialogue and to seek common ground.

Habermas argues that we need to create new public spheres where people can come together to discuss important issues and to build consensus. He says that these public spheres can be found in places like coffeehouses, churches, and town halls. He also argues that we need to create new ways of communicating with each other that are more conducive to dialogue and understanding.

Civil Passions: Moral Sentiment and Democratic Deliberation is a timely and important book. It offers a深刻的批判of the state of public discourse in our democracy and it provides some concrete suggestions for how we can improve it. Habermas's book is a must-read for anyone who is concerned about the future of democracy.

Civil Passions: Moral Sentiment and Democratic Deliberation

by Sharon R. Krause

5 out of 5