How Is Liberalism Linked To Rationalism Flashcards
How is liberalism linked to rationalism
Liberalism born out of enlightenment.
Enlightenment was termed the age of reason
Therefore liberals view of rationalism reflects this time.
recognising that humans were innately rational individual beings,
We act out of reason.
What are implications
As we are rational, we should have a lot of individual freedom and therefore a minimal state.
We can be guided by our reason and are capable of acting in our own interests, not by what the state orders through law
Because reasoned and rational give people freedom to act as individuals
Against paternalism because we are the best judge of our own interests not someone else or a higher power.
We are not to forces beyond our control, we have our own free will and should be able to use it.
What is another implication for reform
Conflict resolve through discussion
Debate and argument over violence
Truth will emerge, not necessary to go to war, as a result of being rational, conflict and dispute will inevitably be resolved as the truth comes out.
What is another implication ( faith in reform/ revolution.)
History says that human society develops through an expansion of understanding.
Evolutionary reformists
World can be improved through human understanding.
We understand the world and therefore can improve it
Do not agree that humans are intellectually limited and that the world is beyond our understanding.
We understand and we reform to keep up with the advancement in our understanding.
Continually reform/ against tradition those in past had less understanding than us.
Key enlightenment thinkers
Rousseau, Kant, smith and Jeremy Bentham.
What do liberals not believe in?
Just because we are rational, does not mean that they believe in utopian creed of human imperfectability.
Why do they not believe in perfectible humans/ complete freedom from all authority.
Because we are self interested, act in the interests of ourselves even if it means impeding on other people.
