Theologies Flashcards
What is liberalism?
Political and moral philosophy based on the rights of each individual, liberty and equality.
What was the reformation?
Period of change in the 15th century. Christians argued that individuals shouldn’t have to rely on priests to talk to god and it should be an individual matter.
What was the enlightenment?
Intellectual movement where people began to believe in reason rather than faith and free thinking and encourages questions to unanswered issues
Liberals views on human nature.
Egotistical- Naturally selfish, in charge of our own fate
Rational- Respectful and guided by knowledge not impulse
Progressive- human nature isn’t set in stone driven by pleasure and avoidance of pain
Optimistic- Reject original sin and through rational discussion we can increase happiness
Who is John Locke?
-Every individual has an ability to speak freely
-‘social contract’
-State of nature- Served mankind’s needs before anything else.
-State of Law- laws are only legitimate if it is respectful of everyone
- Mechanistic Theory- Human beings are rational reject ‘divine right of kings’
Who is Mary Wollstonecraft?
-Women are rational just like men,
should be entitled to the same rights
-Women can’t consent to who governs them as they could not vote
- Believed in equality and giving women the right to vote
Who is John Stuart Mill?
-Mill believed men and women should share equal rights(this was conventional)
-Mill supported a separate gov to prevent the poorest from experiencing injustice
Who is Thomas Hill Green?
-Emphasised the difference between negative and positive freedom.
Negative freedom- left alone by state
Positive freedom- gov should have a positive impact
-States role is to protect and to only interfere when violations of liberty occurred
Who is John Rawls?
-Redistribution of wealth
Foundational equality- every should have the opportunity to achieve what they want.
Who is Betty Friedan?
-Founded ‘NOW’ a civil rights group delicates to achieving equality for women.
- Directed campaigns to end sex classified employment
- Fought for women’s representation in government
Liberalist views on Society
The Natural Society-pre state was efficient and helpful to mankind
The Individualistic Society- everyone should have the right to achieve goals without barriers
The Tolerant Society- tolerate all actions and opinions unless they harm the liberty of others (racism)
Liberals views on economy
Defence of private property
Defence of capitalism and inequality(equal opportunities unequal outcomes)
Liberals view of the state
Constitutional(limited) state-social contract
Fragmented state-gov power should be separated
Representative state
What are the different types of liberalism?
Classical liberalism
Negative liberty
Minimal gov/state
Laissez faire government
Positive liberty
Modern liberalism
Social liberalism
Neo-liberalism(economic freedom/NHS)
What is conservatism?
Cultural, social and political philosophy that seeks to preserve and promote tradition.
Changes to conserve are….
-Idea of fixing and repairing things rather than destroying it
-Increases in popularity during times of stress
Key thinkers of Conservatism
Thomas Hobbs
Edmund Burke
Michael Oakeshott
Ayn Rand
Robert Nozik
Edmund Burke
-Father of conservatism
-Hated French rev
-Skeptical(crooked timber of humanity)
-Society is like a plant meaning we are constantly growing and going in different directions(important we stick to our roots/traditions)
-Little platoons
Michael Oakeshott
- Humans are ‘fallible not terrible’
- We aren’t capable of a perfect society but we could be happy and still benefit from every day life
- Believe in trial and error(progmagic)
-‘imperfect not imoral’
-Nautical metaphor (gov should keep us afloat)
Conservatives view on human nature
Fixed & Flawed(philosophy of imperfection)
Sceptical(gap between aspiration + achievement)
Cynical(we’d be ruthless without state)
Forgiving
Communal
