Philosopher Pierre-Henri Tavoillot said whether French society can still share common values during a France Inter radio broadcast on July 30, 2026 [2].

The conversation arrives as France grapples with deepening social divisions. The debate centers on the concept of "vivre-ensemble" — the ability of diverse citizens to coexist peacefully within a single national framework without resorting to hatred.

Host Victor Dekyvère led the discussion in the France Inter studio in Paris [1]. The program, titled "Le Débat de midi," focused on the challenges of maintaining a common life in an era of increasing fragmentation [1]. Tavoillot used the platform to explore themes from his book, "Voulons-nous encore vivre ensemble?", which was published in 2024 [3].

Tavoillot examined the tension between individual desires and the requirements of a collective society. He questioned if the French population still possesses a shared foundation that allows for a functional community. The discussion highlighted the risk that without a common set of values, the social fabric may continue to fray.

The broadcast reached a nationwide audience, reflecting a broader intellectual effort to address the roots of civil unrest and social alienation. Tavoillot said that the desire to live together must be more than a political slogan — it requires a genuine philosophical agreement on what it means to be a citizen.

Throughout the session, the participants analyzed the possibility of reconstructing a shared identity. They discussed whether the current state of French society allows for a reconciliation of opposing viewpoints, or if the divide has become permanent [1].

“whether French society can still share common values”

This debate reflects a critical shift in French intellectual discourse, moving from the assumption of a natural national unity toward a questioning of whether that unity is still possible. By centering the discussion on the 2024 work of Pierre-Henri Tavoillot, the program suggests that the social divisions appearing in 2026 are part of a long-term trend of eroding shared values and institutional trust.