Universalismo e Particularismo nas Discussões Modernas

Abstract

In this paper I will discuss the role of national identity in the light of modern political and moral theories. My strategy here is threefold: firstly, I will present an overview of pre-modern theories of rights and duties of individuals, and then show how they fail to make sense of the notions of freedom and equality (of rights); secondly, I will introduce modern political and moral theories (more specifically, social contract theories) as an outstanding alternative to those ones, given the paradigm of values established by modern society; thirdly, I will argue against the supposed universality or objectivity of modern political and moral theories, taking into account the role of national identity.