In my master's thesis, I examine the concept of the state in relation to liberal individualism and explore how this concept is reflected in contemporary liberal democracies. Particular attention is devoted to virtue ethics, ancient philosophy, and the historical development of political liberalism. I proceed with a detailed analysis of the state as a key determinant in the formation of individual identity, focusing on how individualism undermines collective consciousness in the context of modern democracies. The theoretical framework is provided by the works of Aristotle, G. W. F. Hegel and John Rawls. An analysis of Hegel's conception of the state is followed by a discussion of ancient thought, particularly Aristotle's virtue ethics, where the importance of the common good and education for virtue is emphasized. I then turn to liberal political theory, focusing on Rawls's theory of justice, which raises the question of regulation of relations between the individual and the community at the level of the state. I conclude by reflecting on certain aspects of contemporary liberal democracy and highlighting the consequences of the weakened role of the state, including the strengthening of individualism and the erosion of collective ties.
|
