Title
The Children of Light and the Children of Darkness: A Vindication of Democracy and a Critique of Its Traditional Defense,Used
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The Children of Light and the Children of Darkness, first published in 1944, is considered one of the most profound and relevant works by the influential theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, and certainly the fullest statement of his political philosophy. Written and first read during the prolonged, tragic world war between totalitarian and democratic forces, Niebuhrs book took up the timely question of how democracy as a political system could best be defended.Most proponents of democracy, Niebuhr claimed, were children of light, who had optimistic but nave ideas about how society could be rid of evil and governed by enlightened reason. They needed, he believed, to absorb some of the wisdom and strength of the children of darkness, whose ruthless cynicism and corrupt, antidemocratic politics should otherwise be repudiated. He argued for a prudent, liberal understanding of human society that took the measure of every groups selfinterest and was chastened by a realistic understanding of the limits of power. It is in the foreword to this book that he wrote, Mans capacity for justice makes democracy possible; but mans inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary.This edition includes a new introduction by the theologian and Niebuhr scholar Gary Dorrien in which he elucidates the works significance and places it firmly into the arc of Niebuhrs career.
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- Q: What is the main theme of 'The Children of Light and the Children of Darkness'? A: The main theme revolves around the defense of democracy and the critique of its traditional justifications, exploring the balance between idealism and realism in political philosophy.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author is Reinhold Niebuhr, a prominent theologian known for his contributions to political philosophy.
- Q: When was this edition published? A: This edition was published on September 1, 2011.
- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: The book contains 190 pages.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: This book is available in paperback binding.
- Q: Is this book suitable for someone new to political philosophy? A: Yes, it provides a thorough introduction to Niebuhr's ideas, making it accessible for those new to political philosophy.
- Q: Does this edition include any additional content? A: Yes, it includes a new introduction by Gary Dorrien, providing insights into the book's significance.
- Q: What is the condition of the book? A: The book is listed as 'New'.
- Q: What are the key insights from the foreword? A: In the foreword, Niebuhr emphasizes the duality of human nature, stating that while man's capacity for justice enables democracy, his inclination toward injustice makes it necessary.
- Q: What category does this book fall under? A: The book falls under the category of 'United States'.