Liberalism: Metaphysical Roots
- Bibliographic Description: Algirdas Degutis, „Liberalizmas: metafizinės ištakos“, @eitis (lt), 2016, t. 589, ISSN 2424-421X.
- Previous Edition: Algirdas Degutis, „Liberalizmas: metafizinės ištakos“, Logos, 2013, nr. 76, p. 47–59, ISSN 0868-7692.
- Institutional Affiliation: Mykolo Romerio universitetas.
Summary. As a political doctrine Liberalism is premised on the idea that there are no ultimate values based in reason, no highest good in accordance with which individuals’ final preferences could be ranked. The idea is an expression of a modern metaphysics that denies the classical teleological world-view and assumes the fact/value dichotomy. By proclaiming the equality of all values before the tribunal of reason, liberalism has endorsed “non-discrimination” as the absolute value and “open society” as the ultimate political goal. A huge question mark has thus been posed over the inherited social and moral order. The moral energy has been redirected to moral inversion, to the reversal of traditional valuations. By raising non-discrimination to the rank of the highest good, liberalism has become a purely destructive force in host societies. Yet this is an ending that seems to have evolved from its basic premises.
Keywords: liberalism, modern metaphysics, scientism, nihilism, values, destructive force.