Single Idea 8021

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / B. History of Ideas / 5. Later European Thought]

Full Idea

The Levellers and the Diggers mark a turning point in the history of morality.

Clarification

They were radical libertarians during the English Civil War, 1642-51

Gist of Idea

The Levellers and the Diggers mark a turning point in the history of morality

Source

Alasdair MacIntyre (A Short History of Ethics [1967], Ch.11)

Book Reference

MacIntyre,Alasdair: 'A Short History of Ethics' [Routledge 1967], p.152


A Reaction

John Lilburne, the Leveller, 'Free-Born John', was the most important of them. They mainly fought for rights of religious conscience, but it quickly escalated into a demand for economic and social rights. It spread to France and the United States.