Where Communitarianism Stops and Liberalism Begins

Bernard Matolino argues that Kwame Gyekye’s moderate communitarianism is not different from the radical communitarianism of earlier communitarians. But I show that in many other places, Matolino acknowledges that Gyekye’s version is indeed different. I also show that Matolino has the penchant to not only praise Gyekye for positions he (Matolino) has previously criticized, but also to take over such positions by making them central arguments in his own philosophical schemes. Lastly, I show that where Matolino seeks to avoid what he criticizes in Gyekye and other communitarians, the avoidance lands him in liberalism. Where his position coincides with those of earlier communitarians, Matolino lacks originality, and where his position differs, he falls out of communitarianism. The conclusion is that Matolino is unable to secure a distinct position as a communitarian.