Liberalism Flashcards
John Locke
John Locke
1632 - 1704
Classical
An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
Mary Wollstonecraft
Mary Wollstonecraft
1759 - 1797
Classical
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman
John Stewart Mill
John Stewart Mill
1806 - 1873
Late Classical
On Liberty
John Rawls
John Rawls
1921- 2002
Modern
A Theory of Justice
Betty Frieden
Betty Frieden
1921-2006
Classic / Modern
The Feminine Mystique
Human Nature
John Locke, classical
Egotistical individualism;
Humans are naturally selfish and focus on theirselves. However, this selfish approach involves self-restraint, as in order to have their rights respected, one must respect others.
Humans are naturally free, equal and independent and are not naturally under the authority of any other body or person.
Humans in the state of nature are free & equal. Clashes of interest with other individuals causes man to enter a social contract and form a govt. in order to advance their own happiness.
John Stewart Mill, late classical
UTILITARIANISM;
We make decisions on pleasure and happiness, which will either be now (pizza) or later (salad = abs)
This relates to…
Negative freedom; Freedom from interference by others, e.g. the state.
J.S.M argued that there is no “fixed” state of nature and there is constant room for improval; State should foster education in order to allow humans to achieve greater “higher pleasures” (educated and happy); Quote: “I would rather be Socrates and dissatisfied than a fool and satisfied”.
John Rawls, Modern liberal
Optimistic;
Humans have capacity for toleration and mutual respect.
Humans have foundational equality; This is that humans are born morally equal and therefore deserving of equal natural rights, enshrined in constitutions as law.
He argued that with the veil of ignorance, when asked to create a perfect society, people chose one that is equal, displaying avoiding poverty is a greater desire than wealth to a rational individual.
State
