Definition of Liberalism

Nick A, check the definition-you may be a closet liberal based on some of the views you've shared here.;) earl
 
earl said:
I figured as much as Nick A threw the term "liberalism" around, he could use a little definitional assistance.:)earl
liberalism: Definition from Answers.com
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  1. A political theory founded on the natural goodness of humans and the autonomy of the individual and favoring civil and political liberties, government by law with the consent of the governed, and protection from arbitrary authority.
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In short it is wishful thinking and good intentions pertaining to the illusion of the goodness of humans that sacrifices the desirable balance between obligations and rights necessary to sustain a free society.
 
Nick_A said:
In short it is wishful thinking and good intentions pertaining to the illusion of the goodness of humans that sacrifices the desirable balance between obligations and rights necessary to sustain a free society.
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OK, so you don't believe in civil and political liberties, or government by consent of the people, or heck even the goodness of people. I stand corrected.;):D earl
 
earl said:
OK, so you don't believe in civil and political liberties, or government by consent of the people, or heck even the goodness of people. I stand corrected.;):D earl
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The real danger is that the liberal mindset is so caught up in the issue it would be incapable of sustained impartial discussion in favor of indignant emotional reaction. Everything then just remains the same including the cyclical horrors that must lawfully repeat due to this mindset.
 
Nick A, your over-generalizations about "liberal" mindsets are staggering. earl
 
earl said:
Nick A, your over-generalizations about "liberal" mindsets are staggering. earl
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They only appear staggering because you are so busy reacting that you've never considered the psychological realities creating the value of what is said to be worth conserving.
 
Nick_A said:
The real danger is that the liberal mindset is so caught up in the issue it would be incapable of sustained impartial discussion in favor of indignant emotional reaction. Everything then just remains the same including the cyclical horrors that must lawfully repeat due to this mindset.
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ROFLMAO! How impartial is this spiel? :p
 
seattlegal said:
ROFLMAO! How impartial is this spiel? :p
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That's the trouble SG, you are caught up with "points of view" that impartiality is a foreign concept. Impartiality for liberalism is a subjective point of view that it defends which is why it cannot admit its weakness
 
Nick_A said:
That's the trouble SG, you are caught up with "points of view" that impartiality is a foreign concept. Impartiality for liberalism is a subjective point of view that it defends which is why it cannot admit its weakness
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Actually, Nick, the trouble I have is with people trying to change the meaning of words. I makes objective dialog difficult, if not impossible. (Is that objective enough for you?)
 
Here's an idea, Nick- why don't you define what you assume a "liberal" mindset is then we'll all know whether we're talking about the same thing. Ironically, I think the philosophy that best fits that classic definition of liberalism is libertarianism- not that I am one.:p earl
 
seattlegal said:
Actually, Nick, the trouble I have is with people trying to change the meaning of words. I makes objective dialog difficult, if not impossible. (Is that objective enough for you?)
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The assumption is that you believe your subjective meanings of words like impartiality are objective. I would suggest that you've never considered the essential component of impartiality but still think you understand it.

I'm not bering critical but just saying that it is normal for secularism and until admitting our limitations, one never gets beyond the cyclical patterns of secularism regardless of good intentions
 
earl said:
Here's an idea, Nick- why don't you define what you assume a "liberal" mindset is then we'll all know whether we're talking about the same thing. Ironically, I think the philosophy that best fits that classic definition of liberalism is libertarianism- not that I am one.:p earl
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It will make more sense to you if you tell me what you think a liberal mindset is. This way I can compare it with what some wish to conserve that is lost through this liberal mindset
 
Nick_A said:
The assumption is that you believe your subjective meanings of words like impartiality are objective. I would suggest that you've never considered the essential component of impartiality but still think you understand it.

I'm not bering critical but just saying that it is normal for secularism and until admitting our limitations, one never gets beyond the cyclical patterns of secularism regardless of good intentions
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"Impartiality" is not one of the words I was referring to.
 
Nick_A said:
Their is no greater exercise in futility IMO than the contemplations of a politically liberal Buddhist
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I'm guessing she's a politically conservative Buddhist-Christian-I'm the politically liberal Buddhist-Christian. Now, there, she how helpful labels & grand assumptions are.:) earl
 
earl said:
I'm guessing she's a politically conservative Buddhist-Christian-I'm the politically liberal Buddhist-Christian. Now, there, she how helpful labels & grand assumptions are.:) earl
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When I wrote that I wasn't referring to anyone in particular but just the comparison of the liberal secular mindset with a teaching that has a conscious origin
 
http://www.answers.com/library/Dictionary-cid-46787
Dictionary: liberalism n.


  1. The state or quality of being liberal.
    1. A political theory founded on the natural goodness of humans and the autonomy of the individual and favoring civil and political liberties, government by law with the consent of the governed, and protection from arbitrary authority.
    2. often Liberalism The tenets or policies of a Liberal party.
  3. An economic theory in favor of laissez-faire, the free market, and the gold standard.
  4. Liberalism
    1. A 19th-century Protestant movement that favored free intellectual inquiry, stressed the ethical and humanitarian content of Christianity, and de-emphasized dogmatic theology.
    2. A 19th-century Roman Catholic movement that favored political democracy and ecclesiastical reform but was theologically orthodox.
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http://www.answers.com/library/Dictionary-cid-46787http://www.answers.com/library/Dictionary-cid-46787http://www.answers.com/library/Dictionary-cid-46787http://www.answers.com/library/Dictionary-cid-46787 Exactly which of these fits the democratic party of the United States?? Free market, laissez-faire, gold standard?? That is conservativism is it not? Liberalism is more regulation, world bank, federal reserve, controlled markets.

Call me confused.

Civil and political liberties? gov't health care, gov't schooling, social security, helmet laws, welfare, none of these indicate that the individual is autonomous, but wards of the state, lemmings needing guidance from above as they cannot save money or be productive members of society without assistance.
 
wil said:
Exactly which of these fits the democratic party of the United States?? Free market, laissez-faire, gold standard?? That is conservativism is it not? Liberalism is more regulation, world bank, federal reserve, controlled markets.

Call me confused.

Civil and political liberties? gov't health care, gov't schooling, social security, helmet laws, welfare, none of these indicate that the individual is autonomous, but wards of the state, lemmings needing guidance from above as they cannot save money or be productive members of society without assistance.
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Labels mess with a mind don't they?;):D earl
 
wil said:
Exactly which of these fits the democratic party of the United States?? Free market, laissez-faire, gold standard?? That is conservativism is it not? Liberalism is more regulation, world bank, federal reserve, controlled markets.

Call me confused.

Civil and political liberties? gov't health care, gov't schooling, social security, helmet laws, welfare, none of these indicate that the individual is autonomous, but wards of the state, lemmings needing guidance from above as they cannot save money or be productive members of society without assistance.
Click to expand...

We learn that "good intentions" must be enfoced so "experts" come along and enforce them.. It is for your own good. Stop thinking in this contrary way. You need another dose of group participation in the Obama choir. Just keep singing "Obama brings happiness, Obama brings freeedom." It will be all be enforced for your own good. Those obstructing the common pood will be eliminated so we, the good people, all gain.
 
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