Liberalism, Equality, and Cultural Oppression

ISBN-13: 9780521627535 / Angielski / Miękka / 1998 / 148 str.

Andrew Kernohan

Opis

Liberal political philosophy emphasizes the benefits of membership in a cultural group and, in the opinion of this book, neglects its harmful, oppressive aspects. Andrew Kernohan argues that an oppressive culture perpetuates inegalitarian social meanings and false assumptions about who is entitled to what. Cultural pollution harms fundamental interests in self-respect and knowledge of the good and is diffuse, insidious, and unnoticed. This cultural pollution is analogous to environmental pollution, and though difficult to detect, is nonetheless just as real. The book's conclusion is that a liberal state committed to the moral equality of persons must accept a strong role in reforming our cultural environment.

Recenzje

'The great value of the book lies not in its approach to any particular issue, but in its timely reminder that a liberal's work is never done.' Jonathan Wolff, The Times Literary Supplement

Spis treści

Introduction; Acknowledgments; 1. Equality, tolerance, and cultural oppression; 2. Liberalism and the epistemology of value; 3. The moral equality of persons; 4. Neutrality and the harm principle; 5. Liberalism and the reform of culture; Conclusion; Notes.