Journal of East China Normal University (Philosoph ›› 2016, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (3): 166-170.doi: 10.16382/ j.cnki.1000-5579.2016.03.018

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On Sander's Idea of Republican Virtues: Comments on Democracys Discontent

CHEN Lai   

  • Online:2016-05-15 Published:2016-07-06
  • Contact: CHEN Lai
  • About author:CHEN Lai

Abstract: We mostly agree with the main view points and perspectives in Sanders Democracys Discontent. However, the idea of republican virtues that has prevailed for 200 years in the US as it says in the book needs to be discussed and questioned. The problem lies in that the idea of republican virtues cannot differ civil virtues from personal virtues because it emphasizes the former while ignores the latter; with dense Protestantism hue, the idea of republican virtues cannot cover Christian good ethics and while mentioning civil virtues, it cannot elaborate the basic values understood by republicans. Therefore, the republican virtues in American history have their limits for they do not include personal consummation. In comparison, the personal virtues in Confucian tradition are much thicker.