Single Idea 23869

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 6. Liberalism / d. Liberal freedom]

Full Idea

The least evil society is that in which the general run of men are most often obliged to think while acting, have the most opportunities for exercising control over collective life as a whole, and enjoy the greatest amount of independence.

Gist of Idea

In the least evil societies people can think, control community life, and be autonomous

Source

Simone Weil (Reflections on Liberty and Social Oppression [1934], p.97)

Book Reference

Weil,Simone: 'Oppression and Liberty' [Routledge 1955], p.97


A Reaction

So Simone Weil was a liberal. How do you stop the most dynamic thinkers, social controllers, and exercisers of their own independence from coming to dominate the others? Only liberal institutions, such as the law and education, can do this.