Description: Living in society has always presented a variety of challenges to its members. These challenges need to be addressed if there is to be an improvement in the quality of life in society. However, to what extent can philosophical thinking facilitate the task? This book pursues and answers this question. It offers an analysis of fundamental issues and provides philosophical considerations of the challenges arising from living in society. The topics discussed here include philosophy and the social context; individual interests and the common good; dualistic thinking of and in society; relationships and communal life; the individual and society; ethical thinking and formation; images, reality and truth; the power and limits of human freedom; social roles, public office and moral society; economic crisis and accountability; the marketplace, academia, education; contemporary society and faith-based education; and the meaning and significance of life. After reviewing these discussions, the concluding chapter then sets out a philosophical vision to facilitate an understanding of and motivation for the creative advance of society.
Brief description: Santiago Sia is a retired Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy of the Milltown Institute (National University of Ireland). Author and editor of several books and articles, and an international lecturer, he was previously Professor of Philosophy and Director of Ethical Studies at Loyola Marymount Uni-versity, Los Angeles, USA, for several years.