Full Idea
Liberals regard pluralism, freedom, rights, equality and distributive justice as basic …but this particular group of values is explained by the true core of liberalism, the inner citadel for whose protection all the liberal battles are waged: autonomy.
Clarification
'pluralism' is accepting varied concepts of the good life
Gist of Idea
The key liberal values are explained by the one core value, which is autonomy
Source
John Kekes (Against Liberalism [1997], 01.5)
Book Reference
Kekes,John: 'Against Liberalism' [Cornell 1997], p.15
A Reaction
Given that children, soldiers, monks and nuns, and people in old folks homes have very limited autonomy, it is reasonable to query whether it really is so important. I like autonomy if I have external power over my life; not so good when in hospital.