A new benchmark in political philosophy
Sergi Morales-Gálvez is a prominent thinker in the field of contemporary political philosophy, focused on issues of linguistic justice and cultural diversity. With a doctorate in Philosophy from the Catholic University of Leuven and currently a professor at the University of Valencia, Morales-Gálvez is the author of ‘Political Philosophy. An introduction’, a pioneering text in the field of Catalan academia, since it is the first philosophy manual published in the Catalan language. This work has been edited by the University of Barcelona, with the collaboration of Elvira Riera-Gil, Lluís Pérez-Lozano and Marc Santjaume Claret.
A milestone for the language and the academy
The importance of this publication is that it provides access to crucial philosophical knowledge in a language that is the mother tongue of many citizens. Although there is a command of English in the academic field, having philosophical texts in Catalan not only honors the language, but also supports higher education in Catalonia. Although the content of the book covers topics from various traditions of thought, emphasis is placed on examples and references that are particularly relevant to the Catalan context.
Approaching language from a new perspective
One of the challenges editors faced during the process of translating and adapting content was terminology. For example, the term ‘libertarian’ can be translated into Catalan as ‘llibertari’ or ‘llibertarià’. The choice of one or the other can lead to confusion in the Catalan context, especially considering its association with far-left political ideas. Thus, ‘llibertarià’ was chosen to avoid misunderstandings in the public.
The legacy of Francesc Eiximenis
The book begins its philosophical journey with the analysis of Francesc Eiximenis, an important Catalan philosopher of the 14th century. This choice is due to the fact that Marc Santjaume, co-editor of the work, integrates Eiximenis into his teaching, connecting local thought with the Western philosophical tradition. This is not presented as a study of autonomous thought, but as a tool to frame the discussion of political philosophy in a broader context.
A gap in political philosophy
In general, there is a perceived lack of representation of analytical philosophy within current debates in Catalonia, where continental currents of thought predominate. Despite the rise of critical theory, with figures such as Michel Foucault and debates on populism inspired by Ernesto Laclau and Antonio Gramsci, the Rawlsian vision has achieved significant recognition among the philosophers who co-edited this manual, providing a structure for reflection on contemporary reality.
How does political philosophy influence society?
The influence of different philosophical currents on social reality is a debated topic. In the Anglo-Saxon context, there are studies that analyse which theories Supreme Court judges cite to base their decisions. The philosophers John Rawls and John Locke are frequently mentioned, which shows how the philosophical basis can directly affect people’s lives. Often, from a young age, we formulate value judgements about what we consider fair or unfair, which shows the importance of critical thinking.
Interaction between philosophy and institutional policy
The relationship between political philosophers and institutional politics is, for the most part, limited. A common path of interaction is through foundations linked to certain political parties. For example, one of the editors is director of the Irla Foundation, and others have collaborated in writing documents for various foundations. This work may seem like an instrumental linking of political philosophy in the service of specific political discourses, something that Morales-Gálvez argues can be problematic.
The tensions of the current political context
As a result of the independence process in Catalonia, the philosophical dynamics within the academy have been subject to tensions. A notable example is the change in position of Ferran Requejo, who went from being a firm defender of federalism to adopting an independence vision, highlighting his influence in discussions about political diversity at the national level.
The relevance of John Rawls
John Rawls appears as a crucial figure in the work, not only for his theoretical contribution, but also for the method he proposed. His approach, known by the term ‘reflective equilibrium’, states that dialogue between different perspectives is fundamental to building solid philosophical arguments. An example is the discussion of justice and equity, although it is not always easy, as it requires careful analysis and a willingness to revise preconceived ideas.
A critique of utilitarianism
Rawls raises a criticism of the utilitarian ideology, commonly accepted before his thought, arguing that it can lead to dehumanizing people, treating them as mere means to an end. This is illustrated through ethical dilemmas such as the well-known ‘trolley dilemma’, which tests notions of morality and justice. These types of debates are fundamental to understanding how social reality is articulated and how philosophy can guide the normative legacy.
Linguistic justice and its importance
Linguistic justice is an issue that also confirms the relevance of systems that work in multilingual societies. Morales-Gálvez highlights that the debate on this aspect has been partly shaped by contributions from thinkers such as John Stuart Mill, who argued that democracies are more effective in linguistically homogeneous contexts. However, this approach has been questioned, since models such as those of Switzerland and Belgium demonstrate that linguistic diversity is not synonymous with democratic weakness.
Proposed resolutions
Morales-Gálvez’s vision is inspired by Belgium’s rich multicultural tradition, where debates on linguistic rights have developed that consider both territorial and personal differences. She argues that, in addition to coercive measures to protect minority languages, an approach that promotes mutual learning between communities, avoiding the dominance of one language, is also essential.
Freedom in the philosophical debate
The notion of freedom is presented as a vital concept in contemporary analytical philosophy. There is a debate between the liberal conception of freedom as the absence of interference and a republican view that argues that interference can be positive as long as it promotes equality. In the area of language, this discussion is pertinent, since many people feel that they cannot express themselves freely due to social pressure.
The objective of the book
This book seeks to civilize philosophical debate and encourage in-depth discussion on complex topics. Morales-Gálvez hopes that through critical reflection, readers can examine their own principles and mitigate the polarization we often face. In this sense, the work not only presents an academic compendium, but invites the reader to an open dialogue that enriches the understanding of political philosophy.