Single Idea 23172

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 6. Liberalism / a. Liberalism basics]

Full Idea

Empiricist Liberalism (not incompatible with democratic socialism) is, as in Locke's time, the only philosophy that can be adopted by a man who demands some scientific evidence for beliefs, and also desires human happiness more than some party or creed.

Gist of Idea

Empiricist Liberalism is the only view for someone who favours scientific evidence and happiness

Source

Bertrand Russell (Philosophy and Politics [1950], p.31)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'Unpopular Essays' [Unwin 1990], p.31


A Reaction

I like this way of presenting liberalism. In the modern world we are sunk if we don't pay attention to experts, so we all need a critical understanding of what counts as good evidence. Tricky in a world of lying media.

Related Idea

Idea 23171 Empiricism is ethically superior, because dogmatism favours persecution and hatred [Russell]