Is there a Canadian philosophy? : Reflections on the Canadian identity /

The authors in each chapter answer the question posed in the title with a brief description of their version of the historical background to the current situation in Canadian society. Based on this description, each argues, following the hermeneutic lead of Gary Madison (emer., McMaster Univ.), that Canada is a society whose citizens are capable of a renewed version of a Habermas-like universal individualism in a pluralistic context. This is a version of liberal democracy that is taken to be compatible with (1) a postmodern sense of community, itself compatible with the new globalism, (2) traditional democratic attempts to develop open-minded and tolerant individual citizens, (3) a Hayek-inspired self-organizing society free from externally imposed legalistic controls on human freedom, and (4) a society that demonstrates maximum respect for universal, individual rights. All the writers condemn the possible intolerance and potential destruction of individual freedoms promoted by ethnocentric multiculturalists. The book would be improved if the criticized multiculturalists were given a voice to respond to criticisms of their version of the Canadian identity and if it were made clear that the book is more about a particular view of politics than a distinctive philosophy. All academic levels. J. Gough Red Deer College