Egyetemes érvényűek-e a nyugati hagyományból merített „európai értékek”?

Abstract

Do the so called “European values” have any theoretical foundation? In the Preamble to the Treaty on European Union we read that their source is the “inheritance” of Europe, i. e. they are part of our specific tradition, but at the same time they are “universal”, i. e. this tradition is granted a certain privileged status. In my view this isn’t entirely true in the case of the present understanding of European values. Their dominant actual interpretation is one-sidedly individualistic, and does not take into account the reproduction of civilization itself, which is the precondition of the existence of values and individuals. If liberalism wants its own long-lasting perseverance, it needs a paradigm shift, defending not only individual interests, but the traditional form of the family and the virtues favourable to the flourishing of community itself, too. This paradigm shift requires the transformation of our present system of values. The result would be a new morality, very similar to classical natural law, and so traditionally European and universal at the same time.