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Home , Dirk Verhofstadt, Green liberalism, Liberales, Martha Nussbaum

Dedicated to Charlie Hebdo of individual

Liberalism is a or worldview foun- Liberal decalogue Liberalism in context ded on the core values of individual liberty and equality. All by Bertrand Russell individuals are considered to have the same moral (or / Socialism/ dignity). The word was first used in a political context by the 1. Do not feel absolutely certain of anything. Libertarians only take into account Individual are not protec- Spanish group in 1812. negative (e.g. classical ted in communism. Respecting 2. Do not think it worthwhile to proceed by concealing evidence, for the to personal security and individual liberties under evidence is sure to come to light. property). Libertarians want a socialism might be possible. minimal state. (, 3. Never try to discourage thinking for you are sure to succeed. Anarchy, State and Utopia, (1974)). Four pillars of liberalism () When you meet with opposition, even if it should be from your Paternalism: deciding for other 4. people what is and how to husband or your children, endeavor to overcome it by argument and Multiculturalism tends to prioritize behave. There is a universal, 1. Only individuals count. not by authority, for a victory dependent upon authority is unreal and group rights over individual rights intuitive temptation to tell other illusory. and thus tolerates intolerance. E.g. people what to do and what not to 2. All humans are morally equal. allowing nontherapeutic circumcisi- do. 5. Have no respect for the authority of others, for there are always Is Striving towards progress, that is: more on of boys (, However (contra Mill): soft 3. Meliorism contrary authorities to be found. Multiculturalism Bad for Women? paternalism as compulsory knowledge, more , less su ering. 6. Do not use power to suppress opinions you think pernicious, for if (1999). helmets for motorcyclists seems 4. Universalism Liberalism has worldwide application. you do the opinions will suppress you. Religion reasonable. Science 7. Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now Religion is a private hobby. Religion accepted was once considered eccentric. should be an individual autonomous Science is the best method for choice, based on objective informa- pursuing of . Religion should 8. Find more pleasure in intelligent dissent than in passive agreement, tion. All hobbies should be allowed not interfere with science. Educati- Freedom, or liberty: the power or right to do as one wants. for, if you value intelligence as you should, the former implies a as long as they don’t harm others or on and policy should be science Equality: all individuals have equal moral status and are deeper agreement than the latter. interfere with the freedom of others. based. Children should be free from accorded the same rights as in the Universal Declaration of Be scrupulously truthful, even if the truth is inconvenient, for it is religion (Richard Dawkins, The God 9. Delusion (2006)). Liberalism encompasses feminism: Human Rights (1948) more inconvenient when you try to conceal it. nobody should be oppressed on Cosmopolitanism (global ) the basis of sex or sexual orientati- 10. Do not feel envious of the happiness of those who live in a fool’s on.. In many (Islamic) parts of the paradise, for only a fool will think that it is happiness. Liberalism has a universal moral world a sexual revolution is claim. All individuals on the planet necessary in order to liberate Towards the light of liberty should be allowed to live according women (and men) from cultural to their own wishes – a long as they and religious suppression. , Two Treatises on Government (1689): ‘father of don’t harm others - without being Green liberal heptalogue suppressed. modern liberalism’; of the people ( theory), (sustainable development) freedom of the individual, separation of church and state, by Floris van den Berg rights Future generations should be religious toleration (except for atheists). It is inconsistent to oppose one kind taken into moral consideration. of oppression and be an oppressor : founding father of (capita- 1. First, do not harm others, including non-human and yourself at the same time. Total lism). An Inquiry into the and Causes of the Wealth of future generations. liberation strives to ban all forms of Secularism is the separation of Nations (1776) argues that self-interest can lead to mutual oppression. , including nonhuman 2. Strive towards a world with less and more happiness. animals. Liberals ought to live a life religion and state. Liberals tend to benefit. 3. Encourage yourself and others to excel. trying to avoid harm to sentient favour strong separation of religion It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that beings, and thus it follows that and state (laicité), including we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest. In The 4. Work on the critical thinking skills of yourself and others. liberals have a moral obligation to be Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759) he pleads for for others. opposition to faith based schools. 5. Let others be free, as long as they do not harm others. vegan. (, The Secular Outlook. , The Rights of Man (1791) 6. Try to enjoy life. Economic growth In defense of moral and political ‘Give to every other human being every right that you claim for Economic growth should be secularism (2010)). yourself – that is my doctrine.’ 7. Do random acts of kindness. curtailed by the (extended) no harm Secular , On Liberty (1859): No harm : no principle. Secular humanism is the tyranny of the majority. (1869): worldview and life stance that classic of . One human, one vote. Universal harmonizes with liberalism. (Paul suffrage. Kurtz, Living without Religion “The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any Franklin Delano Rooseveldt’s (1994)). member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. four (1941) He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the opinion of others, to do so would be wise, or even right.” Freedom of worship A hard case for liberalism: , and Its Enemies (1945): No Freedom of expression and the right to offend tolerance for intolerance: Freedom from want Freedom from fear “….the attempt to make heaven on earth invariably produces hell. It “ What is freedom of expression whithout the freedom to o end, leads to intolerance. It leads to religious wars, and to the saving of souls it ceases to exist.” - Salman Rushdie through the inquisition. And it is, I believe, based on a complete misun- In the Handyside v case (1976) the derstanding of our moral duties. It is our duty to help those who European Court of Human Rights decided that: “Freedom help; but it cannot be our duty to make others happy, since this does not of expression...is applicable not only to ‘information’ or ‘ideas’ depend on us, and since it would only too often mean intruding on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that are favourably received or regarded as inoffensive or as a of those towards whom we have such amiable intentions.” matter of indifference, but also to those that offend, shock or Popper argues that should be about striving towards optimizing disturb the State or any sector of the population.” individual liberty by piecemeal social engineering. Freedom of expressi- Oxford Declaration on Freedom of Thought and on is of fundamental importance for indivual liberty. Expression (2014) at the World Humanist Congress: , Two Concepts of Liberty (1958). “There is no right not to be offended, or not to hear contrary opinions. Negative freedom: The state guarantees that individual rights are Respect for people’s freedom of belief does not imply any duty or respected and protected (police and army). The state does not interfere requirement to respect those beliefs. The expression of opposition to any with individual lifestyles. beliefs, including in the form of satire, ridicule or condemnation in all Positive freedom: The state facilitates opportunities for individuals to A monument of moral progress for humanity. The UDHR was adopted by media and forms is vital to critical discourse and any restraint that is flourish, e.g. by organizing and subsidizing education, sports, theater, exercised in this expression must be in accordance of article 29 of the reacreational areas, museums. the United Nations Assembly on 10 December 1948. It represents the first Universal Declaration of Human Rights, namely to protect the rights and Liberatarians value negative freedom much more than positive freedom. global expression of rights to which all human beings are inherently entitled. The UDHR is a liberal document because it establishes individual freedoms of others. The best response to the expression of a view we Socialism tends to value positive freedom more than negative freedom. liberty as a core value. disagree with is to reply to it. Violence and censorship are never legitima- , A Theory of Justice (1971): philosophy of the te responses. All that criminalise language on grounds of ‘blasp- hemy’ or of offence to beliefs and values impede human freedom and ; helping people in worst off position to be able Article 1: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and should be abolished.” to flourish. rights. They are endowed with and and should act “Each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive basic liberty towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Virtual Museum of Offensive Art & Censorship compatible with a similar liberty for others.” (www.kwestendekunst.nl) , Frontiers of Justice (2006): capabilities Article 3: Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. holds a collection of art works, which have been censored or caused approach upheaval. The ethos of the museum is in keeping with liberal views on The capabilities approach focuses on achieving human well-being by society that freedom should be as large as is logically consistent with the securing a threshold level of opportunities that all citizens are able to freedom of other individuals. Use of violence and incitement of violence achieve. are the clear boundaries of freedom. The right of freedom of expression AC Grayling, Towards the Light of Liberty. The Struggles for logically entails the right to offend and insult. As such, it is possible that Freedom and Rights That Made the Modern Western World Liberty to whom? you can be offended or even insulted by the artistic creations of other (2007). , people. “People should be left to believe what they like, so long as they harm no one else. Apart from normal expectations of politeness, it is not however The expanding moral circle (1981): clear why people should require their personal beliefs to be treated with special sensitivity by others, to the point that if others fail to tip-toe Who is in the moral club? respectfully around them they will start throwing bombs.” From , A Plea for Individualism (2013): liberalism to as individualism. From anthropocentrism to Pleads for a cosmopolitan and universal liberalism striving to let What is the criterion for inclusion into individuals flourish to their fullest capacity. Verhofstadt opposes to obstacles to individual liberty, especially religion and patriarchism. the moral circle? Extending the no from anthropocentrism to : The Caged Virgin: An Emancipation Procla- sententientism (Can they suffer? Bentham). mation for Women and Islam (2008). Maxim of Green Liberalism: “We need to stand up for our own as liberals. Specifically, we need to say to offended Western Muslims (and their liberal suppor- Anything goes as long as it does not (physically) harm ters) that it is not we who must accommodate their beliefs and sensitivi- other sentient beings, including nonhuman animals and ties. Rather, it is they who must learn to live with our commitment to free speech.” future generations. Floris van den Berg, Philosophy for a better world (2009): universal subjectivism. Extending Rawls to nonhuman © Dr. Floris van den Berg, 2016 Design by: Loes Albert animals and future generations. Thinking liberalism through from the perspective of victims, including nonhuman Contact: [email protected] For more info: animals and future generations. Floris van den Berg, Philosophy for a Better World, 2014