Abstract

This dissertation focuses on compassion as a moral orientation and philosophical worldview. It argues that the compassionate worldview can be a moral compass for the modern age, in contrast with authoritarian conservatism and postmodern relativism. The dissertation includes an explication of the compassionate orientation in both its personal and political dimensions, arguing that the logic of compassion, which requires unconditionality, respect, empathy and altruism provides the basis for a political orientation of toleration, civility, respect for human rights, nonviolence and community. It includes a review of the way compassion has been understood historically both in Western political thought and in major world religions. It responds to political beliefs about human nature and social potential that tend to limit our ability to conceive and realize universal compassion. These limiting conceptions include belief in the inevitability of scarcity and violence, and cynicism about the ability of people to create significant social change. Finally, it examines some of the elements necessary for a universal compassion worldview. These include equanimity, or the capability to love with constancy; the ability to conceive of the world as one; and "inclusive envisioning," the capacity to including others in one's conception of the good