The Active Life: Miller's Metaphysics of Democracy

Contents

C o n t e n t s Preface vii Abbreviations xv Introduction: The Active and Contemplative Lives 1 Chapter 1. A Metaphysics of Democracy? 13 1.1 Senses of Democracy 15 1.2 America’s Antimetaphysical Tradition 19 1.3 Rorty’s Challenge 22 1.4 Miller’s Antimetaphysical Sympathies 26 1.5 Revisions of Metaphysics and History 28 1.6 Reinvigorating Criticism 33 1.7 Conclusion 36 Chapter 2. Action 39 2.1 Disclosure of Action 40 2.2 Dialectic and Definition 47 2.3 Dialectic and Action 55 2.4 Action as Constructive 60 2.5 Conclusion 69 Chapter 3. Symbol 71 3.1 Symbolic Environment 72 3.2 Signs and Symbols 78 3.3 Symbols and Artifacts 84 3.4 Interpretation 93 3.5 Res Publicae 103 3.6 Conclusion 108 v Chapter 4. History 109 4.1 History as Constitutional 110 4.2 Fate, Demonry, Nemesis 118 4.3 Conflict, Revision, Action 124 4.4 Reflection and Autonomy 131 4.5 History and Philosophy 138 4.6 Conclusion 144 Chapter 5. Democracy 147 5.1 Metaphysics of Morals 149 5.2 Liberal Democracy 161 5.3 Universality and Process 166 5.4 Democracy and Philosophy 172 5.5 Conclusion 182 Epilogue: The Scholar and the Citizen 185 Notes 193 References 215 Index 223 vi CONTENTS ...