Liberalisms and the limits of knowledge and freedom: On the epistemological and social bases of negative liberty

This article sets out to show that it is more precise to speak of different liberal traditions than it is to speak of liberalism in general. The argument is pursued by showing how contrary to French liberalism, which has a strong republican element, and in contrast with English and Scottish liberali...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:History of European ideas 2007-06, Vol.33 (2), p.195-211
Main Author: Schecter, Darrow
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Epistemology
Liberalism
Philosophy
Philosophy of history. Social and political philosophy. Philosophy of law
Social and political philosophy
Theoretical Problems
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Summary:This article sets out to show that it is more precise to speak of different liberal traditions than it is to speak of liberalism in general. The argument is pursued by showing how contrary to French liberalism, which has a strong republican element, and in contrast with English and Scottish liberalism, which reserve an important place for political economy, there is also a central European liberalism with a marked philosophical dimension. This particular form of liberalism is analysed by examining the writings of Kant, Simmel and Freud. It is stated at the outset that critiques of liberalism often fail to appreciate the richness and diversity of liberal thinking, and that this depth must be borne in mind in any effective critique. It is explained that there are indeed grounds to critique liberal thought and practice, but that these grounds are obscured by lumping distinct and heterogeneous traditions together as if they all suffered from the same defects.
ISSN:0191-6599
1873-541X
DOI:10.1016/j.histeuroideas.2006.11.005