Christian Faith, Justice, and a Politics of Mercy

The Benevolent Community

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Inspiration & Meditation, Faith, Theology, Christianity
Cover of the book Christian Faith, Justice, and a Politics of Mercy by James E. Gilman, Lexington Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: James E. Gilman ISBN: 9780739186862
Publisher: Lexington Books Publication: April 10, 2014
Imprint: Lexington Books Language: English
Author: James E. Gilman
ISBN: 9780739186862
Publisher: Lexington Books
Publication: April 10, 2014
Imprint: Lexington Books
Language: English

Christian Faith, Justice, and a Politics of Mercy: The Benevolent Community assumes that the most profound moral conflict today is between two virtues—justice and mercy. Gilman argues that the two are organically linked through the common experience of compassion. In an unjust world, justice cannot establish itself, but requires, in public as well as private life, projects of merciful benevolence. Mercy alone has the power to subvert patterns of injustice, and mercy and projects of benevolence are tailored to establish and sustain patterns of justice, especially fair economic outcomes. To show this, against Rawl’s Difference Principle, Gilman argues for a Distribution Principle, which states that social and economic inequalities should be addressed by policies that directly and primarily benefit the least advantaged members of society, while at the same time minimizing burdens and/or maximizing benefits for the most advantaged. Along the way he shows how in the United States benevolence as a public virtue was disestablished along with religion; how it might and should be re-established without re-establishing religion; and how the Christian tradition provides resources for evolving morally from a liberal, procedural practice of justice to one that embraces egalitarian, economic justice as well. Finally, he demonstrates how in the global community today, Christianity and other traditions can and should make “benevolent community” a reality.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Christian Faith, Justice, and a Politics of Mercy: The Benevolent Community assumes that the most profound moral conflict today is between two virtues—justice and mercy. Gilman argues that the two are organically linked through the common experience of compassion. In an unjust world, justice cannot establish itself, but requires, in public as well as private life, projects of merciful benevolence. Mercy alone has the power to subvert patterns of injustice, and mercy and projects of benevolence are tailored to establish and sustain patterns of justice, especially fair economic outcomes. To show this, against Rawl’s Difference Principle, Gilman argues for a Distribution Principle, which states that social and economic inequalities should be addressed by policies that directly and primarily benefit the least advantaged members of society, while at the same time minimizing burdens and/or maximizing benefits for the most advantaged. Along the way he shows how in the United States benevolence as a public virtue was disestablished along with religion; how it might and should be re-established without re-establishing religion; and how the Christian tradition provides resources for evolving morally from a liberal, procedural practice of justice to one that embraces egalitarian, economic justice as well. Finally, he demonstrates how in the global community today, Christianity and other traditions can and should make “benevolent community” a reality.

More books from Lexington Books

Cover of the book Elinor Ostrom and the Bloomington School of Political Economy by James E. Gilman
Cover of the book Deconstructing Paradise by James E. Gilman
Cover of the book The City and Sex by James E. Gilman
Cover of the book George Santayana at 150 by James E. Gilman
Cover of the book European Identity by James E. Gilman
Cover of the book Gadamer and the Question of Understanding by James E. Gilman
Cover of the book Racial Cleansing in Arkansas, 1883–1924 by James E. Gilman
Cover of the book What We Say, Who We Are by James E. Gilman
Cover of the book Mereologies, Ontologies, and Facets by James E. Gilman
Cover of the book Public Opinion, Public Policy, and Smoking by James E. Gilman
Cover of the book Human Rights and the Arts by James E. Gilman
Cover of the book Understanding Humor through Communication by James E. Gilman
Cover of the book The Constitutional and Legal Development of the Chinese Presidency by James E. Gilman
Cover of the book Racism, Latinos, and the Public Policy Process by James E. Gilman
Cover of the book Karl Marx and the Future of the Human by James E. Gilman
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy