Since its conception, the main concern of this research has been to affirm the contextual value of a definition of civil society and to avoid using the term without first investigating its various meanings. In addition to the diversity of theoretical sources from which it draws, as well as its forms, evolution and interpretations, it is common to find in the study of civil society a certain confusion as to what is the starting point for its understanding. Initiatives to determine its role in society are not few. And whether we refer to the academic, political or social spheres, we observe a greater interest in understanding the concept only since recent centuries and with special emphasis on the political and social phenomena of the twentieth century. In this line, the concern for basing an ethical link in civic practices in Chile arises from the observation of social and political events of the last decades, events where a markedly juridical interpretation of the civic experience is perceived as a common denominator. In this complex undertaking, Ethics is understood as a practical knowledge and the experience of citizen interactions finds in the term "civil society" the contextual framework where such knowledge is subjected to examination. The working hypothesis is that Chile's socio-political and economic development can be redefined in the search for the good if its civil society can constitute itself as a self-determined type of society. That is, with the capacity to discern and decide on its own the issues of interest to its field and guide the course of society from the exercise of its citizen capabilities. Our general objective is to establish the foundations of civil society as the main place of ethical discernment in Chilean society. The specific objectives that accompany it are: (i) To rediscover the condition of the individual as a moral subject and the unconditionality of his role as a dynamizer of social interactions; ii) To delimit the theoretical and practical aspects that intervene in the course of the interactions of individuals within the framework of civil society; iii) To examine civil society in Chile in the light of the contextual value of the theoretical and practical aspects delimited; and iv) To justify the primacy of the individual and his or her character as the foundation of social relations oriented towards the pursuit of the good. As a methodological strategy we use the approach of critical hermeneutics, so that in the search and affirmation of the foundations of civil society, social phenomena are understood and interpreted in relation to the context in which they occur, in this case, civil society as the foundation and ethical bond of Chilean society. The bibliographic search in libraries, databases and journals of impact stand out as methodological tools. In terms of structure, the research consists of four main sections and 11 chapters, and each section will seek to respond to a specific objective. The first part, "Meaning", proposes a contextualization around the point of view we have about human beings and their possibilities in social interaction. Chapters 1, 2 and 3 make up this first section. Section two, entitled "Criteria", is made up of chapters 4, 5, 6 and 7. Here we address what was stated in specific objective number ii, regarding the delimitation of both theoretical and practical aspects involved in social interactions within the framework of civil society. The third part seeks to "bring to the present issues of the past" and thus achieve an update of the topics worked on in the preceding sections, going beyond mere historical remembrance. Chapters 8 and 9 make up this section called "Presentification". The fourth and last part is entitled "Application". It proposes to justify the primacy of the person and his character as the foundation of social relations oriented towards the pursuit of the good. Chapter 10 refers to the value of the moral and linguistic condition of the human being, and chapter 11 presents the conclusions that derive from all that has been said.
2022-05-18
