Abstract

Problem. This dissertation addresses the problem of delineating an ethic of citizenship in the modern, democratic, pluralistic context of the United States. It explores the ethical theories of Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, and H. Richard Niebuhr as they discuss the role of the citizen in achieving the good of society. ;Method. The historical and contextual methodology used is based on an interpretive theory of knowledge. That theory assumes the wholeness of knowledge, its perspectival character, its development through struggle as traditions come into conflict, and its location in community. ;Overview. Chapter 1 analyzes the problematic of citizenship in the modern Western situation and explores new directions among those who are dissatisfied with the effects of the Enlightenment upon public ethics. Chapter 2 explores classical virtue theory as it spans the Greek, Roman, and Christian eras. This provides insights into historical views of citizenship ethics and the changes that occurred as classical virtue theory operated within different contexts. Chapter 3 brings modern theological and philosophical problems of citizenship ethics into focus as it analyzes the responsibility ethics of H. Richard Niebuhr. In chapter 4 classical virtue theory and responsibility ethics are brought into dialogue. Chapter 5 applies the insights gained in that dialogue among traditions to the present discussion. ;Research findings. The research finds that an ethic of citizenship is based, for each thinker, on central organizing principles of tradition, reason, human nature, and covenant. Comparison shows that utilization and integration of multiple organizing principles strengthens the resulting ethic of citizenship. The same major issues are also addressed by Plato, Aristotle, Augustine and Niebuhr. Questions of the common good, a critical standard, motivation for action and methods of decisionmaking are central for each thinker. The organizing principles and major issues utilized by Plato, Aristotle, Augustine and H. Richard Niebuhr provide tools for developing a model of citizenship ethics in the United States today