The Failure of Modernism: The Cartesian Legacy and Contemporary Pluralism (American Maritain Association Publications)

This book brings together a distinguished group of philosophers and theologians to critique several aspects of modernism. Modernism in philosophy is characterized by skepticism and anti-realism in epistemology, and by relativism in ethics and politics. The contributors are influenced by the philosophical tradition inspired by, but not exclusively based upon, the thought of Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas, and carried on by such contemporary thinkers as Jacques Maritain, tienne Gilson, and Yves Simon. This tradition supports the views that realism is true; that knowledge (including scientific knowledge) is objective; that there are ethical absolute which can be known; that moral character matters; and that the traditional view of the relationship between the individual and the community--human beings are social by nature and not just by choice--is essentially correct.

From this background, the contributors address a wide range of issues in the contemporary discussion, such as: the foundation and assumptions of Cartesianism; the defense of realism; the American political tradition, including key themes of individual rights versus the common good; pluralism, liberalism, and secularism; the problem of skepticism; and social construct theory.

In addition to the editor, the contributors are: Christopher M. Cullen, S.J., Donald T. DeMarco, John X. Evans, William J. Fossati, Edward J. Furton, Robert Geis, Terry Hall, Curtis L. Hancock, James G. Hanink, John F. X. Knasas, Joseph W. Koterski, S.J., Michael P. Moreland, Matthew Pugh, Peter A. Redpath, James V. Schall, S.J., Deborah Wallace, and Henk E. S. Woldring.