Eudaimonia in America

232 First Things 25 (April 2013)

U Iowa Legal Studies Research Paper No. 13-20

8 Pages Posted: 19 Mar 2013 Last revised: 30 Apr 2013

See all articles by Robert T. Miller

Robert T. Miller

University of Iowa College of Law; Classical Liberal Institute, New York University Law School

Date Written: March 1, 2013

Abstract

Responding to Patrick Deneen and Alasdair MacIntyre's attacks on America's liberal political system, I distinguish between philosophical liberalism, which supports liberal political institutions on the basis of a liberal political philosophy, and pragmatic liberalism, which supports liberal political institutions as reasonable and practical compromises among people with diverse interests and normative beliefs. I argue that someone who is an Aristotelian-Thomist in morals should, in our current pluralistic circumstances, be a pragmatic liberal in politics.

Keywords: eudaimonism, liberalism, aristotelianism, virtue theory, thomism

Suggested Citation

Miller, Robert T., Eudaimonia in America (March 1, 2013). 232 First Things 25 (April 2013), U Iowa Legal Studies Research Paper No. 13-20, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2235914

Robert T. Miller (Contact Author)

University of Iowa College of Law ( email )

Melrose and Byington
Iowa City, IA 52242
United States
(319) 335-9034 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://https://law.uiowa.edu/people/robert-t-miller

Classical Liberal Institute, New York University Law School ( email )

40 Washington Square South
Individual, NY 10012-1099
United States
13193359001 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.classicalliberalinstitute.org/

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