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The Individualist Egalitarianism of William James
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This chapter introduces and defends the democratic individualism in William James’s thought. Drawing on the work of George Kateb and others, it shows that what James calls the “democratic respect for the sacredness of individuality” can be understood in terms of four interrelated commitments: (1) A commitment to the principle that each person’s individuality counts equally; no one’s more or less than anyone else’s. (2) A commitment to the principle that each individual should be able to flourish, on his or her own terms, and therefore, to a set of social conditions that enable such flourishing. (3) A commitment to examine oneself for moral blind spots: for ways in which one might be oblivious to, and complicit in, the frustration of others’ individuality. (4) A commitment to “strenuously” revise one’s habits and behavior in light of the previous three commitments.
Title: The Individualist Egalitarianism of William James
Description:
This chapter introduces and defends the democratic individualism in William James’s thought.
Drawing on the work of George Kateb and others, it shows that what James calls the “democratic respect for the sacredness of individuality” can be understood in terms of four interrelated commitments: (1) A commitment to the principle that each person’s individuality counts equally; no one’s more or less than anyone else’s.
(2) A commitment to the principle that each individual should be able to flourish, on his or her own terms, and therefore, to a set of social conditions that enable such flourishing.
(3) A commitment to examine oneself for moral blind spots: for ways in which one might be oblivious to, and complicit in, the frustration of others’ individuality.
(4) A commitment to “strenuously” revise one’s habits and behavior in light of the previous three commitments.
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