Liberalism

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What are the core themes of Liberalism?
Individualism, Freedom, Reason, Justice and Toleration
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What influenced Liberal thinkers in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries?
The Enlightenment = An intellectual movement that reached its height in the eighteenth century and challenged traditional beliefs in religion, politics and learning in general in the name of reason and progress
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What is the definition of Atomism?
A belief that society is made up of a collection of self interested and largely self sufficient individuals, or atoms, rather than social groups
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What was Immanuel Kant's perspective on individualism?
He expressed a belief in the dignity and equal worth of human beings in his conception of individuals as 'ends in themselves' and not merely as means for the achievement of the ends of others.
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What's the definition of Human Nature?
The essential and innate character of all human beings: what they owe to nature rather than society.
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Definition of Freedom?
The ability to think or act as one wishes, a capacity that can be associated with the individual, a social group or a nation.
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What's the difference between self regarding and other regarding freedom?
Self Regarding actions individuals should exercise absolute freedom, and those that are 'other regarding' can restrict the freedoms of others and do them damage.
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What was J.S Mills opinion on freedom?
He supported other and self regarding theory. Mill did not accept any restrictions on the individual that are designed to prevent a person from damaging himself or herself, either physically or morally.
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What is Negative Freedom?
The absence of external restrictions or constraints on the individual, allowing them freedom of choice.
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What is Positive Freedom?
Self mastery or self realisation; the achievement of the autonomy or the development of human capacities.
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Liberals disagree with Paternalism. What is it?
Authority exercised from above for the guidance and support of those below, modeled on the relationship between fathers and children.
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What negative attributes does Paternalism have?
It prevents individuals from making their own moral choices and learning from their own mistakes, but also creates a prospect that those invested with responsibility for others will abuse their position for their own ends.
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What is the general liberal view on Human Nature?
Liberals are generally optimistic about human nature, seeing people as reason-guided creatures, they also recognize the power of self interest and egoism and how it can corrupt.
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Why do Liberals deplore the use of aggression?
Such conflicts should be settled through debate and negotiation. The use of force is justified either on the grounds of self defense or as means of countering oppression.
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What is Justice?
A moral standard of fairness and impartiality; social justice is the notion of a fair or justifiable distribution of wealth and rewards in society.
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And Equality?
The principle that human beings are of identical worth or are entitled to be treated the same way; equality can have widely differing applications.
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What is foundational equality?
It implies a belief in formal equality or equal citizenship, the idea that individuals should enjoy the same formal status within society, particularly in terms of any social privileges or advantages that are enjoyed by some but denied to others.
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What is Equality of Opportunity?
Each and every individual should have the same chance to rise or fall in society
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Definition of Meritocracy?
Literally, rule by those with merit, merit being intelligence plus effort; a society in which social position is determined exclusively by ability and hard work.
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What is the liberal social ethic very much characterized by?
A willingness to accept and, in some cases, celebrate moral, cultural and political diversity
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What is Pluralism?
A belief in diversity or choice, or the theory that political power is or should be widely and evenly dispersed.
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Toleration?
Forbearance; a willingness to accept views or action with which one is in disagreement.
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Autonomy?
Literally, self government; the ability to control one's own destiny by virtue of enjoying independence from external influences.
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Card 2

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What influenced Liberal thinkers in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries?

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The Enlightenment = An intellectual movement that reached its height in the eighteenth century and challenged traditional beliefs in religion, politics and learning in general in the name of reason and progress

Card 3

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What is the definition of Atomism?

Back

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Card 4

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What was Immanuel Kant's perspective on individualism?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

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What's the definition of Human Nature?

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