Democracy and Social EthicsNearly a century before the advent of "multiculturalism," Jane Addams put forward her conception of the moral significance of diversity. Each member of a democracy, Addams believed, is under a moral obligation to seek out diverse experiences, making a daily effort to confront others' perspectives. Morality must be seen as a social rather than an individual endeavor, and democracy as a way of life rather than merely a basis for laws. Failing this, both democracy and ethics remain sterile, empty concepts. In this, Addams's earliest book on ethics--presented here with a substantial introduction by Charlene Haddock Seigfried--she reflects on the factors that hinder the ability of all members of society to determine their own well-being. Observing relationships between charitable workers and their clients, between factory owners and their employers, and between household employers and their servants, she identifies sources of friction and shows how conceiving of democracy as a social obligation can lead to new, mutually beneficial lines of conduct. She also considers the proper education of workers, struggles between parents and their adult daughters over conflicting family and social claims, and the merging of politics with the daily lives of constituents. "The sphere of morals is the sphere of action," Addams proclaims. It is not enough to believe passively in the innate dignity of all human beings. Rather, one must work daily to root out racial, gender, class, and other prejudices from personal relationships. |
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action Addams's Alain Locke alderman Ann Boydston Carbondale attained attempt become believe better charity visitor Charlene Haddock Seigfried Chicago child cial constantly constituents conviction demand Democracy and Social democratic desire difficult dollars doubtless emotional ethical theory experience fact factory fail family claim feel feminism genuine girl give household employee household labor Hull-House human ideal impulse included in Dewey individual industrial interests Italian James Haydon Jane Addams Jo Ann Boydston John Dew John Dewey larger learned living ment method mind natural needs neighbors obligation organization parents perplexity political political corruption poor pragmatism pragmatist recognize reform relation response result rience secure selfish sense situation social ethics social morality society Southern Illinois University standard tion town understanding virtues W. E. B. Du Bois wages woman women workingman workman young