The Good Rebel

"In the view of most contemporary authors, morality and individual freedom diverge. Morality is a restriction that limits freedom. In The Good Rebel, Louis Groarke takes a radically different stance, arguing that morality, properly understood, is the only true expression of personal freedom. Groarke criticizes those contemporary philosophers who argue that one can achieve personal autonomy without being moral or even rational. He argues that people can only be free if they are, in some robustly objective sense, both rational and moral. He develops a positive theory of personal freedom derived from a concept of good rebellion. Individuals who rebel against an oppressive society for the sake of an objective good furnish the most conspicuous example of human freedom in action.". "The Good Rebel is unique because it provides a novel perspective on the issue of freedom. Instead of limiting itself to a critique of the prevalent view, it provides a positive alternative to more subjective accounts of human achievement. It also situates modern issues and ideas in a broad social and historical context, borrowing ideas and examples from many different cultures, times, and places. The question of individual freedom is presented, not as a technical, academic concern, but as a public issue which concerns us all. In line with the pragmatist tradition, The Good Rebel provides a descriptive account of ethical striving that faithfully represents the values and beliefs that motivate ordinary people's lives." "The Good Rebel will interest readers in philosophy, political and social theory, psychology, literary criticism, contemporary culture, and the history of ideas."--BOOK JACKET.