Philosophy of the United States
Subtitle: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
By: Gordon L. Anderson.
Edition: 1st ed.
Series: Paragon issues in philosophy
Publisher: Paragon House
Published: 2004
Place of publication: St. Paul, MN
Language: eng
Number of pages: 320
Subjects: Legitimacy of governments -- United States.; Political culture -- United States.; Social values -- United States.; United States -- Politics and government -- Philosophy.
Description: Anderson begins his book by noting that the shock of 9/11 can in some ways be compared to the shock the Babylonians experienced in 1158 B.C. or the Romans experienced in 410 A.D. These ancient civilizations, the lessons learned from them, and the spiritual impulses they generated (Judaism and Christianity respectively), form the cultural matrix from which the modern philosophy that guided the creation of the United States Constitution emerged. Notable is Anderson s description of how, at the founding, the liberal rationalists and the pietistic revivalists were able to cooperate. This was possible through a sense of common purpose and a general philosophy broad enough to encompass the more specific philosophies of the liberals and conservatives of the day. Through his description of the issues the founding left unresolved and the pursuit of greed and power, Anderson shows how that common purpose has degenerated into the culture wars that threaten to tear the United States apart today. [Publisher web site].
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 313-316) and index.