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Where communitarian theorists were once voices crying in the wilderness of political philosophy, now they camp near the centre of the discipline. This paper appraises the success of the new communal stirrings, particularly the work of Alasdair MacIntyre, Michael Sandel, Michael Walzer and Benjamin Barber. It also evaluates and finds wanting the liberal critics of the new communitarian turn, who defend the 'thin' theory of the self against the 'thicker', embedded theories of self advanced by the communitarians. The critics' contention that liberal tolerance and human rights depend on a 'thin' theory of the self is not persuasive. Yet the theories of community submitted as remedies for 'thin' theories of the self are themselves too thin. First, consideration of individual elements of community is too narrow. Character, for example, is mentioned by many of the communitarians but not explored in depth. Secondly, even those theorists who examine some essentials in depth neglect the range of requirements, particularly authority, loyalty and commitment. The communitarian line of argument, however, may very well help to move theoretical and political debate beyond the sterile confines of regnant ideologies.

An appraisal of the success of new communal stirrings among theorists in political philosophy, particularly the work of Alasdair MacIntyre, Michael Sandel, Michael Walzer, & Benjamin Barber. Liberal critics of this new communitarian turn, who defend the "thin" theory of the self against the "thicker," embedded theories of self advanced by the communitarians, are challenged, arguing that their contention that liberal tolerance & human rights depend on a "thin" theory of the self is not persuasive. However, theories of community submitted as remedies for "thin" theories of the self are themselves too thin: (1) consideration of individual elements of community is too narrow, eg, character is mentioned but not explored in depth; & (2) even those theorists who examine some essentials in depth neglect the range of requirements, particularly authority, loyalty, & commitment. The communitarian line of argument, however, may help to move theoretical & political debate beyond the sterile confines of regnant ideologies. Adapted from the source document.

Evaluates and finds wanting the liberal critics of the new communitarian turn, who defend the 'thin' theory of the self against the 'thicker', embedded theories of self advanced by the communitarians. (Abstract amended)

A series of recent works may signal an end to the divorce of political philosophy & scripture; eg, books by Stephen J. Brams, Robert Sacks, Michael Walzer, & Aaron Wildavsky treat a variety of themes from the Hebrew scriptures. Here, discussed is why such diverse authors have now turned their attention to the Bible, the methods of interpretation employed, their confrontation with the Bible as a religious book (which raises the issue of God & faith in political philosophy), & the promise of this confrontation. 22 References. Modified AA