Ethics and religion: the civic humanism in Alexis de Tocqueville

Abstract

Tocqueville is aware that the process of individualisation that characterises modern societies erodes social cohesion. He sees clearly that the institutional apparatus alone does not guarantee that individuals in modern societies can leave the cycle of their private interests and sacrifice themselves for the sake of the common interest, above all when power, hidden in the shadow of democratic individualism, pulls the strings to make individuals confuse their safety with political inaction, and social peace with the peace of cemeteries. If modern democracies are to maintain their public spirit, then they must find tools capable of instilling the moral principles of civic humanism in the feelings and reason of their citizens, and able to generate interest in the «res publica». Suchs are well-understood interest and religion.

In this way, on a personal level, the rational arguments around the veracity of Christian beliefs do not persuade him to believe in the crucified Messiah. Nevertheless, as a sociologist, he reaches the conviction that the Christian religion is necessary for the evolution of a democratic society that enables the full development of its citizens’ political and existential freedom.