Civility (Boston University Studies in Philosophy and Religion)

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Are Americans less civil than in the past? If so, is that a negative development, or are we simply becoming more honest? Civility raises questions about its true meaning—whether it’s merely about good manners or if it reflects deeper moral concerns. Some argue that complaints about declining manners stem from privileged classes, while others, like philosopher Peter Bertocci, suggest that promptness is a vital aspect of social justice. This lively discussion involves major philosophers and religious scholars examining civility on three levels. First, in terms of manners, Henry Rosemont advocates for the Confucian perspective, while Edwin Delattre and Adam Seligman delve deeper, and sociologist Alan Wolfe contends that we are no less civil than previous generations. Second, as a social issue, James Schmidt, Lawrence Cahoone, and Adam Seligman explore the structural and meaningful aspects of a civil society, while Ninian Smart, David Wong, and Virginia Straus provide a cross-cultural perspective. Carrie Doehring cautions that civility might hinder honest communication within families. Finally, Robert Pippin and Adam McClellan investigate the metaphysical and religious dimensions of civility. Overall, there is a consensus that declining civility is a significant concern, transcending mere class issues and posing challenges for contemporary society.