Critique of forms of life

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For many liberals, the question "Do others live rightly?" seems inappropriate, often leading to the follow-up "Who am I to judge?" This perspective suggests that peaceful coexistence relies on refraining from moral evaluations of others. However, Rahel Jaeggi argues that criticism is not only valid but also essential. The real issue lies in how we judge. Traditional methods of judgment can be external, based on universal standards from concepts of God or human nature, or internal, based on societal norms. Both have significant flaws. In her work, Jaeggi proposes a third approach: "immanent" critique. Drawing from Hegelian social philosophy and engaging with thinkers like John Dewey, Michael Walzer, and Alasdair MacIntyre, she asserts that ways of life are normative, as they claim their own goodness. Their purpose is to address social problems and promote common goods across cultures. Jaeggi contends that we can assess a society's moral claims by examining its ability to adapt to crises and resolve internal contradictions while fulfilling its purpose. She illustrates her arguments with contemporary examples, demonstrating that rational social critique is achievable against both relativistic and absolutist views.