Political Philosophy for the Global Age

In the spirit of communitarianism and dialogue between civilizations, this ambitious book seeks a political philosophy where a diversity of world-views can meet. The main objective of the book is to propose a theoretical basis for convergence and to expla

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Mónica Judith Sánchez Flores

POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY FOR THE GLOBAL AGE

© Mónica Judith Sánchez Flores, 2005. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. First published in 2005 by PALGRAVE MACMILLAN™ 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010 and Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire, England RG21 6XS Companies and representatives throughout the world. PALGRAVE MACMILLAN is the global academic imprint of the Palgrave Macmillan division of St. Martin’s Press, LLC and of Palgrave Macmillan Ltd. Macmillan® is a registered trademark in the United States, United Kingdom and other countries. Palgrave is a registered trademark in the European Union and other countries. ISBN 978-1-349-52828-8 ISBN 978-1-4039-8024-3 (eBook) DOI 10.1057/9781403980243 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Sánchez Flores, Mónica Judith. Political philosophy for the global age / Mónica Judith Sánchez Flores. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. 1. Political science—Philosophy. 2. Political ethics. I. Title. JA71.S2712 2005 320⬘.01—dc22

2004064918

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Design by Newgen Imaging Systems (P) Ltd., Chennai, India. First edition: July 2005 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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Acknowledgments

v

1. Legitimate Reality and Ethical Authority The Postcolonial Predicament in Modern Political Philosophy “Objective” Knowledge and Sacred Belief 2. Ethical Authority According to Three Ideal Types of Reality Three Ideal–Typical Views of Reality Time: Synchrony and Diachrony Language: Metaphor, Metonymy, and Description 3. The Primitive Ideal Type of Reality Primitive Reality Nature as a “Container” of Human Life Emotional Cognition and the Feminist “Ethics of Care” 4. The Historical Ideal Type of Reality Historical Reality The Transhistorical Realm of Historicity Human Fault and the Responsible Agent The Communitarian–Liberal Debate: The Individual as an Institution and Universal Humanity 5. The Mystic Ideal Type of Reality Beyond History: Absolute Emptiness as a Phenomenological Center for Universal Morality Compassionate Morality: Toward a Liberal–Cosmopolitan Political Philosophy 6. Conclusion

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188 197

Notes Bibliography Index

211 219 239

5 17 35 37 46 58 71 73 84 101 125 130 136 143 153 177 180

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Acknowledgments

T

his book is the result of many years of reflection on the ethical basis of human interaction. During this time, I have been under the influence of various fortunate encounters as well as not very fortunate ones, which nonetheless have taught me important lessons on this subject. I could not possibly thank every single person who provided me with support and inspiration in this endeavor, and so I apologize in advance for failing to mention all the relevant influences. Explicit thanks are due to my professors at El Colegio de México: Francisco Gil Villegas, Maur