In this engaging discussion, Alexandre Lefebvre, a Professor of Politics and Philosophy at the University of Sydney and author of "Liberalism as a Way of Life," delves into the essence of liberalism beyond just politics. He explores how liberal values shape personal identities and societal norms and critiques the hypocrisy within contemporary liberalism. The conversation also highlights the significance of John Rawls's philosophy, urging a more authentic embodiment of liberal principles, and discusses the importance of aligning personal choices with ideals of fairness and equality.
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insights INSIGHT
Hidden Value Frameworks
People often cite hyper-local or hyper-specific influences on their values, like parents or specific art.
However, broader cultural frameworks, like liberalism, often play a more significant, unconscious role.
insights INSIGHT
Swear Words and Values
The evolution of swear words reflects changing social values: religious oaths, obscenities, and now slurs.
Slurs are taboo today because they violate core liberal principles of self-respect and dignity for all.
insights INSIGHT
The Two Sides of Liberalism
Liberalism, though relatively new, has deep roots in Roman ideals of freedom (libertas) and generosity.
Modern liberalism often overemphasizes freedom, neglecting the equally important value of generosity.
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In *The Lost History of Liberalism*, Helena Rosenblatt offers a comprehensive 'word history' of liberalism, examining how the term has been used and understood across centuries. The book delves into the moral core of liberalism, highlighting its engagement with various political and social movements, and challenges common assumptions about its meaning. Rosenblatt emphasizes the importance of understanding liberalism's historical context, particularly its roots in French and German thought, to reconnect with its lost traditions.
Holy Sh*t
Melissa Mohr
In 'Holy Sh*t', Melissa Mohr delves into the fascinating history of swearing, examining both obscenities and oaths across different cultures and eras. The book offers a humorous yet scholarly look at how swear words have evolved and their social and emotional functions.
Liberalism As a Way of Life
Liberalism As a Way of Life
Alexandre Lefebvre
A theory of justice
John Rawls
In 'A Theory of Justice,' John Rawls develops a moral theory of justice as fairness, which is an alternative to utilitarianism. The theory is based on the social contract approach and uses the concept of the original position and the veil of ignorance to derive two principles of justice. The first principle, the greatest equal liberty principle, ensures that each person has an equal right to the most extensive total system of equal basic liberties compatible with a similar system of liberty for all. The second principle, which includes the difference principle and the equal opportunity principle, states that social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they are to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged and attached to offices and positions open to all under conditions of fair equality of opportunity. Rawls's theory aims to reconcile liberty and equality in a well-ordered society.
Yascha Mounk and Alexandre Lefebvre discuss taking liberalism seriously as the main moral paradigm of our world.
Alexandre Lefebvre is a professor of politics and philosophy at the University of Sydney. His books include Human Rights as a Way of Life and, most recently, Liberalism as a Way of Life.
In this week’s conversation, Yascha Mounk and Alexandre Lefebvre discuss the difference between political liberalism and liberalism as a comprehensive doctrine—or “way of life”; how we can uphold the core tenets of comprehensive liberalism—such as freedom, fairness, and reciprocity—in our daily lives; and the enduring relevance of the 20th century's foremost liberal philosopher, John Rawls.
The Good Fight 
