Difference between revisions of "What Is Liberty?"
From Critiques Of Libertarianism
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[[Category:Positive Alternatives To Libertarian Ideas]] | [[Category:Positive Alternatives To Libertarian Ideas]] | ||
[[Category:Under Construction]] | [[Category:Under Construction]] | ||
| − | {{DES | des = Liberty, the supposed object of Libertarianism, is hardly ever defined or discussed analytically by libertarians. Liberty, as used by libertarians, is a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glittering_generality glittering generality of propaganda]: an emotionally appealing phrase so closely associated with highly valued concepts and beliefs that it carries conviction without supporting information or reason. But liberty is susceptible to analysis and that analysis reveals enormous problems with libertarian ideology. | show=}} | + | {{DES | des = Liberty (AKA Freedom), the supposed object of Libertarianism, is hardly ever defined or discussed analytically by libertarians. Liberty, as used by libertarians, is a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glittering_generality glittering generality of propaganda]: an emotionally appealing phrase so closely associated with highly valued concepts and beliefs that it carries conviction without supporting information or reason. But liberty is susceptible to analysis and that analysis reveals enormous problems with libertarian ideology. | show=}} |
A good model of liberty should be consistent with observations from law, economics, and anthropology. If it is based on observation, we can call it a positive model, like other models in the sciences. (But not necessarily philosophy.) | A good model of liberty should be consistent with observations from law, economics, and anthropology. If it is based on observation, we can call it a positive model, like other models in the sciences. (But not necessarily philosophy.) | ||
== Libertarians Gloss Over What Liberty Is == | == Libertarians Gloss Over What Liberty Is == | ||
| − | For example, if you look in [[The Encyclopedia of Libertarianism]] by [[Ronald Hamowy]], there is no entry for liberty. [[David Boaz]]'s | + | For example, if you look in [[The Encyclopedia of Libertarianism]] by [[Ronald Hamowy]], there is no entry for liberty. [[David Boaz]]'s ''[[Libertarianism: A Primer]]'' has only one sentence defining liberty: "liberty itself is the right to make choices and pursue projects of one's own choosing." (p.15.) The rest is preoccupied with examples of liberty, but not what liberty is. His confusion is obvious because he describes liberty as a "right". [[David Friedman]], in ''[[The Machinery of Freedom: Guide to a Radical Capitalism]]'' does not index liberty or freedom. Neither does [[Robert Nozick]] in ''[[Anarchy, State, and Utopia]]''. [[Milton Friedman]], in ''[[Free To Choose]]'', does not define liberty or freedom. [[Jan Narveson]], in ''[[The Libertarian Idea]]'', writes 9 pages of philosophical handwaving to get to (paraphrased) "A is free to do S if A can choose, but there is possible interference." (pp.13-21.) [[Jason Brennan]], in ''[[Libertarianism: What Everyone Needs to Know]]'', arbitrarily selects one of the many definitions of "positive" and "negative" liberty, which he defines simplistically in terms of "power to do what one chooses" and "absence of obstacles". (p.26) This absence of satisfactory definitions of liberty or freedom is typical of libertarian literature. |
== Liberty or A Liberty == | == Liberty or A Liberty == | ||
