Liberalism -about maximizing the freedom of the individual Society is the sum of all the individuals who compose it Role of the state to protect the freedom of the individual

John Stuart Mill Greatest work “On Liberty” Similar to Descartes and Bacon Mill was looking for more certain truth, which came through individual liberty Modern society didn’t allow this, because of ‘recieved opinion’

People are censored, but legally and socially when they question ‘recieved opinion’ Stigma associated with having differing views People also practice self censorship This stunts people’s reason The duty of the government is to allow people to come to certain truth

Good example was the subjection of women, which was held as dead dogma, and if one spoke out, they would be stigmatized This subjection would be legitimate if it was debated and was certain truth

Solution There needs to be limits imposed on the power that can be exercised over the individual But the individual cannot harm anyone else

Four Freedoms Freedom of conscience, expression They go hand and hand, and cannot be limited because words cannot do harm Expression is beneficial even when it is disturbing

Freedom of life plan – freedom to pursue life goals, but it is not absolute Harm principle Example, selling poison should require a physicians note Drunkeness another example- can harm your dependants

Freedom of association Free, unfettered association with like minded individuals

Why is this important? With the liberties in place, humanity can progress into liberty It gives us more certain truth New ideas have been stamped out With them, we will have controversy, which leads to progresss This type of education prevents us from making knee jerk reactions – dead dogma

Bentham’s Utilitarianism Greatest good for the greatest number Laws based on their utility

Darwinism Charles Darwin, ‘The Origin of Species’ Peace and harmony not the natural way Struggle a good thing, produces the best of the species Natural Selection Minor variations in each species, which may help them survive Some organisms had a competitive advantage

Social Darwinism Oversimplification of Darwin People used it to justify actions against other countries, races Struggle among nations necessary for progress Weak armies and peoples would be eliminated until only the strong survived

Some groups of people were naturally superior because of what they have accomplished Technology and scientific progress used as a justification Used to justify imperial actions

Eugenics- rich anglo-saxons were naturally superior to other groups Herbert Spencer- applied it to social class Governements should not intervene because of survivial of the fittest Marx liked him, especially the ideas on struggle

Used to justify WWI, WWII, Hitler

Hegelian Dialectic George Hegel There will be conflict and violent interaction between polar opposites until a perfect balance is reached Thesis and anti-thesis New idea – synthesis History of humanity is working toward an end point – world spirit Best way to understand the dialectic is through Marx

Nihilism Comes from the Latin word – nothing Is the belief that all values are baseless, and that nothing can be known or communicated Extreme pessimism Nihilists believe in nothing, have no loyalties Denies the possibility of truth and knowledge Future improvement needs destruction of political, social, religious orders Rejects ethical and moral values Life has no intrinsic values or meaning

Denounce god and religious authority It goes against freedom Leads to terrorism and assassination Some nihilists say achieving individual freedom is the only law, state, therefore, must be destroyeed