Dysfunctional Culture: The Inadequacy of Cultural Liberalism as a Guide to Major Challenges of the 21st Century

(Paperback)

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Dysfunctional Culture is written for both theoretical and practical purposes. The first part of the book is a discussion of how to understand and identify political ideologies as cultural systems, disposing for both functional and dysfunctional ways of adjustment, even apart from the interests and intentions of their spokesmen. The second part deals with examples related to family morality and reproduction. It is argued that contemporary cultural liberalism, despite its advantages over several totalitarian ideologies, is inadequate for understanding the cultural premises for family functions, and even legitimizes dysfunctional processes. The book argues that belief in individual rights as the main basis for morality is not an adequate response to the moral challenges we are sure to face in the years ahead.

Reviews

This book is a work of deep and wide scholarship, original judgment, good style, and significance for our new century. In sum, an excellent work. -- Robert Ginsberg, Director, International Center for the Arts, Humanities, and Value Inquiry

Author Bio

Sigurd N. Skirbekk is Professor of Sociology at the University of Oslo. Professor Skirbekk has been manager of the Sociology Department and chairman of the Association of Professors at the university.