Rawls on religion in public debate

Anyone seeking a clear presentation of major positions in political philosophy regarding religious discourse in democratic politics will want to read this book. Fr. Dańkowski’s analysis is impeccable and his constructive proposal on the role of religious faith in functioning democracies bears serious attention. Valuable too are the suggestions Fr. Dańkowski makes for further development of Roman Catholic social thought on this issue.

Michael Schuck, Professor of Christian Ethics,

Loyola University Chicago

In his book, Dariusz Dańkowski SJ provides a comprehensive analysis of the political liberalism of John Rawls. He draws the reader’s attention to the very interesting links between liberal political discourse and Catholic social teaching, seeking to show how these two strands of thought can give rise to an overlapping consensus - something which is particularly important in the social context of contemporary cultural and religious pluralism. Dańkowski’s book is a very good example of the way in which thoughtful Christians can contribute to the ongoing debate over the problems of multicultural and multireligous liberal societies.

Piotr Sikora, Professor of Philosophy,

Jesuit University Ignatianum in Cracow

Dariusz Dańkowski SJ argues that by introducing the concept of reasonableness, Rawls opens up for us a new perspective on the question of the relationship of religion and liberalism. According to him, Rawls provides a more adequate and more consistent theory of liberal legitimacy than is found in other competing accounts (e.g. that of Habermas). The author emerges as a persuasive voice in favor of the notion that religious argument can be a part of the political debate in modern liberal democracy. This book ought especially to be read by those interested in the place of religion in liberal democracy and in its role in public discussion.

Zbigniew Kubacki SJ, Professor of Theology,

Pontifical Faculty of Theology - Collegium Bobolanum in Warsaw

John Rawls opracował nowatorską koncepcję liberalizmu politycznego, w którym ład społeczny opiera się politycznej koncepcji sprawiedliwości, jaka mogłaby być zaakceptowana w społeczeństwie pluralistycznym przez zwolenników konkurujących światopoglądów i przekonań politycznych. Rawls proponuje, aby w sferze publicznej - i tylko w sferze publicznej - głównym kryterium legitymizacji argumentów było odwołanie się do rozumu publicznego (public reason) przy zachowaniu postawy rozumnego obywatela. Rozumność może cechować równie dobrze osoby religijne, jak i ateistów. W ten sposób wszyscy mają równe szanse w wyrażaniu swoich światopoglądów, zaś system społeczny broni się zarówno przed religijnym fundamentalizmem jak i wojującym ateizmem.