Liberal Thinking Essay

Submitted By riceandrew
Words: 2330
Pages: 10
Open Document
Account for the factors that unite Liberal thinking? Why have Liberal ideas, in terms of Classical and Modern Liberal thinking, led to divergent policy both Socially and Economically? How do these ideas still remain ‘liberal’ and how have they shaped broader ideas about Politics?

This essay will examine the core ideas that unite all Liberals but ultimately separate them on their interpretations, which has divided their policy both socially and economically. Although their ideologies have separated, we will look at what links they have with their core beliefs and how this enables both Classical and Modern Liberal thinking to remain liberal. Finally, we will look at how this conflict has shaped political debate and led to broaden ideologies.

Liberalism came about as a consequence of ‘the age of enlightenment’. With the rise of the middle class, throughout the western world, Liberalism developed as a product of the breakdown in feudalism and the growth of a capitalist society. The aspirations of the middle class put into question the monarchist doctrine of ‘the divine right of kings’, and saw this as an unjust reason for determining social position (Heywood, 2012). In 17th century England this led to Civil War with the Monarchists losing to the Parliamentarians who consequently formed a constitutional monarchy. Logically the inequality the previous doctrines had inhibited upon the different classes had to be addressed. Liberal ideology developed from core themes which are: reason, tolerance, individualism, freedom, equality and justice.

Reason was of great importance in liberal thinking, as the groundless notion of ‘the divine right’, gave no logical cause for a person to gain power. Previously it had led to an inequality of life were status was inherent and without merit. Therefore Liberals’ sought reason to be of great value in determining any social policy. This started the belief in the separation of church from state and as Thomas Jefferson states in a letter to the Danbury Baptists, "Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man and his God, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions... that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion” (Jefferson, 1802). It encouraged rational debate, as it would justly conclude peaceful settlements to violent disputes, rather than religious doctrine, which explains why tolerance is a core belief in liberal values.

Voltaire was attributed to the commitment of toleration when he coined the phrase 'I detest what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it'. The liberal celebration of diversity, within society, was the belief that tolerance was of great benefit to all and gave the individual the opportunity for their opinion to be heard. Using a pluralistic system, to take diverse public opinions when making decisions, was of benefit to find out what was morally right, as out of the multitude of public opinion this would lead to a decision that was right for all. This systemic value empowered the masses and made the individual equal to all others.

An equal and just society was what Liberals strived for and believed all individuals' should be treated with the same value. Justice would be dependent on equality and should distribute the burdens or benefits in accordance to what the individual is due. The individual would be treated of equal worth no matter what formal social status they held and would all be entitled to the same rights. Liberals disapprove of entitling rights to some and not to others. This leads on to the equality of opportunity, as Liberals believe that all individuals should have the chance for progress. Although an individual may be given the same opportunity, Liberals believe in reward for merit and not from circumstance. They believe people have different abilities and some are prepared to work harder than others. Therefore it is essentially
Show More

Related Documents: Liberal Thinking Essay

Liberal Arts Degree

give you general knowledge rather than to develop specific skills needed for a profession” (Merriam-Webster, n.d.). Liberal arts degree, in my opinion, is tailor for an individual’s needs and want. This type of degree allows you to explore more options of study. To add, liberal arts aids a person critical thinking skills. In addition, when you add a Christian perspective to a liberal arts education you not only get a degree tailored for your needs but you also get guidance regarding to God’s Will…

Words 1773 - Pages 8

Liberal Arts Education Research Paper

“A Liberal Education is at The Heart of a Civil Society, and at The Heart of a Liberal Education is The Act of Teaching”- A. Bartlett Giamatti. The aim of a liberal arts education lies on providing the students with necessary skills in order to be specialized in various fields of study and achieve goals. A liberal arts education opens the door of broad spectrum of information allowing an individual to think without barriers or restrictions. It is one of the most useful tools that advance society…

Words 332 - Pages 2

Ungar's Essay 7 Major Misperceptions About The Liberal Arts

In his essay “7 Major Misperceptions about the Liberal Arts.” former President of Goucher, Sanford J. Ungar argues that liberal arts are still important today. Students are not majoring in a liberal arts degree because of no future career and expensive tuition. Ungar explains in his first and second points that graduates focus only on career education because “College graduates are finding it harder to get good jobs with liberal arts degree.” (Ungar 1). Graduates are willing to take shortcuts to…

Words 199 - Pages 1

Liberal Arts Research Paper

Liberal Arts is defined as academic subjects such as math, philosophy, literature, and sciences that are majors in schools and universities and are subjects that are required to take in order continue with education. Many people may believe that liberal arts should be taken away from the universities so that students could focus on their career field, while others may believe that liberal arts have its benefits that could help those students in their career. The benefits that Liberal Arts offers…

Words 1931 - Pages 8

Essential humanities Essay

Over the last year there has been a steady stream of articles about the “crisis in the humanities,” fostering a sense that students are stampeding from liberal education toward more vocationally oriented studies. In fact, the decline in humanities enrollments, as some have pointed out, is wildly overstated, and much of that decline occurred in the 1970s and 1980s. Still, the press is filled with tales about parents riding herd on their offspring lest they be attracted to literature or history rather…

Words 997 - Pages 4

Liberal Arts Research Paper

Liberal Arts Essay During college, students are force to decide upon a major to study and ultimately decide on a career for the rest of their lives. But, most students’ only take the core classes that would be consider into their major. However, other universities offer a different perspective of a college education. Although specializing in a core major helps grasp a better understanding in a particular area, a liberal arts education provides better understanding and developing the ability to write…

Words 685 - Pages 3

Liberal Arts Essay

of the achievements of civilization. It heightens students' awareness of the human and natural worlds they inhabit. It makes them more reflective about their beliefs and choices, more self-conscious and criticising, speaking, critical and logical thinking. Law schools report that by the yardsticks of law review and grades, their top students come from math, classics, and literature, with political science, economics, "pre-law “and” legal studies" ranking lower. In today’s fast evolving world, leaders…

Words 2515 - Pages 11

Success: An Explanation Of A Liberal Arts Education

person for one specific job? Or does success come from a school that provides a more vast education in which students can pursue both their passions as well as other opportunities? To me success relates to the second option and that option describes a liberal arts education. At Hillsdale I will be given the option of exploring a multitude of topics, ranging from history and politics to pre-law and psychology. This combination of will allow me to inquire about many subjects, in lieu of having to solely…

Words 215 - Pages 1

english midterm Essay

that protain to their major. And most people don't like waiting until its their time to graduate. But in my case I think Liberal Arts Education is worthwhile. First, the reason why I say its worthwhile because taking classes that doesn't deal with your major is sometimes good because you can learn new things and maybe in the long run you may need the certain things that Liberal Arts Education offer. Futhermore, its always good to learn new things and using it in the near future. Secondly, you may…

Words 341 - Pages 2

Corporate Crime Summary

and therefore, worthy of punishment. Liberals and conservatives have fundamental differences on their thoughts as to the types of punishments that should be implemented for crimes. Conservatives, tending to believe that criminals aren't likely to be successfully rehabilitated, favor punitive policies regarding crime. They believe the individual should be punished for choosing the engage in any sort of criminal behavior, no matter what the circumstances. Liberals on the other hand have more of a situational…

Words 242 - Pages 1