The social-philosophy and social-cultural concept of Richard Rorty

The article deals with the concept of liberalism and communitarianism in Rorty's social philosophy which puts stress to solidarity among the people and to practical activity of human being in social processes. In this essay there is also taken attention to socio-ethical aspects of Rorty's relation to post-modernism and of his critique of American cultural Left and its negative attitude to democratic social institutions. According to Rorty's views the notion of civil society must be enriched with the deep ethical dimension. Rorty highly evaluates historical role and moral authority of these institutions, the origin of which has been connnected with gradual formation of the democratic political life. He interprets American tradition therefore as a historical continuity with the spiritual heritage of these personalities in the political and cultural life of United States who have embodied the ideals of democracy, justice and equality among the citizens (especially R. W. Emerson, A. Lincoln and M. L. King).