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A few thoughts on the prophetic Charles Taylor essay recently republished by @ChurchLifeND.
1. Although written almost 20 years ago the paradoxes of solidarity bedeviling our society in the time of the virus are even starker. Consider in this light Taylor's observation that ... https://twitter.com/ChurchLifeND/status/1247511465889759238
1. Although written almost 20 years ago the paradoxes of solidarity bedeviling our society in the time of the virus are even starker. Consider in this light Taylor's observation that ... https://twitter.com/ChurchLifeND/status/1247511465889759238
... a "neoliberal illusion" has become dominant which holds that markets free of government can resolve all substantive social problems. Taylor warned that "this right-wing daydream could lead to chaos in the 21st century."
2. Taylor rightly sees that ...
2. Taylor rightly sees that ...
... the paradoxical problem of solidarities in modern societies is that we *already* live out a dependency of which we simply remain deeply unaware.
The virus has made this clear with grocery store clerks & deliverymen risking their lives for us through small acts of bravery.
The virus has made this clear with grocery store clerks & deliverymen risking their lives for us through small acts of bravery.
3. Post-2016 it is easier to see that one deeply defective way democracies are now trying to reconstruct that solidarity is via ethno-nationalism (which I view as a form of state-produced monoculture).
This rightwing form of solidarity building is defective because ...
This rightwing form of solidarity building is defective because ...
... it attempts to generate social identity and cohesion through a myth of ethnic purity that turns violently on some members of society. The attempt to repair social solidarity in fact tears it to pieces.
4. What is the alternative? Taylor also sees a tragic bind ...
4. What is the alternative? Taylor also sees a tragic bind ...
... between the patterns of economy & wealth premised on efficiency & self-interest and those of mutuality & belonging to one another.
At that moment he seemed to be partly stuck or at least posing a problem of imagination of future solidarities (& unsatisfied with what ...
At that moment he seemed to be partly stuck or at least posing a problem of imagination of future solidarities (& unsatisfied with what ...
he termed the "sad consequences of 20th century left-wing daydreams")
One might return to the beginning of the essay which opens with an abandoned set of musings on another kind of solidarity evident in the story of the Good Samaritan. A hint for the religious Left?
One might return to the beginning of the essay which opens with an abandoned set of musings on another kind of solidarity evident in the story of the Good Samaritan. A hint for the religious Left?
Regardless how we go forward with this problem thanks to @cosmostheinlost and @ChurchLifeND for thoughtfully republishing this piece at such an opportune moment.
Here is Taylor's provocative opening reflection on Christ's parable of the Good Samaritan and a conception of solidarity that goes beyond the existing social relations of reciprocity in an act of love and mercy.
