Political Science 1020E Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Religious Pluralism, Positive Liberty, Immanuel Kant
17 Dec 2017
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All liberals aim to promote individual liberty. Liberals disagree about the nature of liberty. Him on liberal states: three important characteristics. No religious dogma can reasonably be held with certainty. Every doctrine should be open to critical scrutiny. Fundamental equality of all human beings: inequality is an artifact. Economic and social order characteristic by hierarchy related to birth (parents, related genetically) Peasant unfree to chose what to do, legally attached to land since birth. Your status is ascribed/give to you at birth. Absolutist monarchies take all power to themselves. Rejecting ascribed status in favour of achieved status and equal opportunity. Luther against church corruption and priestly authority. Unintentionally paves the way for religious pluralism and, eventually, toleration. Did not want to separate church and state. Luther and john calvin: non resistance to political authority. Later calvinists: right to overthrow rulers who do not tolerate free exercise of their religion. England 1688: constitutional monarchy, freedom of worship for dissenters, religious toleration.
