The Ethics of Authenticity

This is a work of philosophy. I say this because how it is written, and how it is reasoned, belongs to that discipline. I have limited tolerance for this. And as such much of this bored me to tears even though I recognize the skill of the author in tackling his subject. In the very last chapter Taylor looks at how modern societies are susceptible to fragmentation. This is very applicable to North America these days and for me was the highlight of this book.

Based on a series of lectures delivered in 1991, there is a significant difference between the text and the audio. Oscillating between dense inacessibility and plain speech, between profundidty and glib naive generalisations, this is a fantastic example of Canadian Idealism. It would be unfair and simplistic to describe this as a book in favour of reformism, or to characterise the book as saying "for the left to win it must sound like or entertain the arguments of the right." And yet there is something very Canadian about arguing that "all sides" are valid, striking a balance between all positions, and and seeking to muddle through. Of course Taylor insists he is not advocating balance, but rather going back to the original ideas of, in show more this case, primarily authenticity, and re-emphasising the good parts of those ideas. Reframing the argument away from 'is the quest for authenticity good or bad' to 'how can we produce good authenticity.' This is similar to the way Alain de Botton argues for good porn, instead of for or against porn, etc etc. And yet. What are the limits of this style of argument? Will we find ourselves arguing for better facism instead of being simplistically for or against facism? I remove from context, simplify and exagerrate. I know. But. There is much to be said both for and against Canadian Idealism. This book can serve as a useful place to start such a discussion. show less

Taylor argues that modernity’s malaise can be treated by balancing individual creativity with shared social values and balancing capitalism with socialism. Too far in either direction results in the disenfranchisement of the people from political power and meaning. He thinks that our modern pursuit of authenticity is worthwhile if our pursuit of individual fulfillment is embedded in some sense of shared external values that serve to give the search for authenticity significance. Taylor describes the tensions and argues that we need to balance them with each other. They serve to keep each other in check so that we do not devolve into meaningless insignificant pursuits and feeling disempowered from the political forces we have set show more up.

These are interesting ideas worth reading. But I couldn’t give four stars because Taylor’s articulation of his argument is difficult. Maybe that is my own shortcoming in my ability to understand a philosophical treatise such as this. But I wixh it were written so that it was more easily understandable by the general public. You should not expect to read this short book quickly if you really do intend to understand it. show less

Good book, although I’m ashamed to say a lot of it went past me. I can’t grasp plenty of complex books, and that’s fine if it’s a matter of subject matter that my education hasn’t covered and they’re written very technically. But Taylor wrote well and plainly. There were some words I needed to look up, and I only looked up some of them. But mostly, I think this book requires and deserves close attention and a bit of work on the part of the reader, and I just didn’t seem to have it in me. Laziness I guess. My loss, and not a reflection on the book...

In his perennially popular Massey lectures, now with an updated look, Charles Taylor focuses on the key modern concept of self-fulfilment, often attacked as the central support of what Christopher Lasch has called "the culture of narcissism." To Taylor, self-fulfilment, although often expressed in self-centred ways, isn't necessarily a rejection of traditional values and social commitment; it also reflects something authentic and valuable in modern culture. Only by distinguishing what is good in this modern striving from what is socially and politically dangerous, Taylor says, can our age be made to deliver its promise.

http://www.anansi.ca/titles.cfm?pub_id=48

This is an overview of ideas and ideologies that inform the modern cultivation of the self. Analysis is done on the concept of self-creation in contemporary culture.

(Rating: 2.5 /5.0, rounded up)