Action Quote by John Rawls
“Now the good of political life is a great political good. It is not a secular good specified by a comprehensive doctrine like those of Kant or Mill. You could characterize this political good as the good of free and equal citizens recognizing the duty of civility to one another: the duty to give citizens public reasons for one's political actions.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Political Liberalism, 1993
Political good is rooted in mutual civility and public reasoning among free, equal citizens.
In simple terms: Good politics needs civility and reason.
Key Takeaway
Foster respectful public discourse.
Themes
politics
ethics
citizenship
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
theoretical
normative
When to use this quote
- town hall meetings
- online debates
- legislative processes
Key Concepts
civility
public reason
equality
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we encourage public reasoning?
- What barriers exist to civic equality?
A Different Perspective
Achieving universal civility is idealistic.
