TWE do liberals agree on human nature

intro

agree HN is rational and postive but tension remains between the strands.

classical: humans r egotistical and seek freedom from constraint

mod: see social responsibility as inate part of human nature

P1 AGREE

share optimistic attitude towaard human nature.

class: lockes state of nature which pre dates state (positive) inalienable rights eg property. soc would progress thru rationalism (open debate, free speech) humans r self interested so all persue similar roles lead to progress. “reason must be our last judge in everything” locke

mod: optimistic abt hn: can work thru problems rationally. emabling state. Rawls veil of ignorance- humans rationally seek equal opp to maximise their chances of succuess in soc. education + healthcare. libfems wollstonecraft + friedan: argue women and men equally rational.

P2 disagree:

classic: complete faith in postive HN. demand negative fredom. state shouldnt itnerfere w personal persuit of happiness unless infringes on others (mill harm principle)

mod: human self interestedness can drift into selfish and exploitative behaviour. friedan: left unchecked can HN produced inequality + discrimination. equality of opp must be more balanced. Laissez-faire econ created opp 4 human exploit eg econ freedom 1800s high level of chld labour in factories. congo now?

classic lib overstates optimism in hn + competing views on rationalism.

P3 agree

individualism fundamental party of hn. each human separate + unique entity so have equal status. identity not defined by social categories eg gender, social class.

classic: natural rights locke- humans r born equal w equal moral worth (foundational equality) eg basis of us declaration of independence.

mod: support for codified rights in 1940s eg UN declaration of hr. friedan: campaigned for equal rights amendment to us constitution in 70s/80s.

both: humans desire 2b free and ind. formal equality

p4 disagree:

humans r egotistical and self interested or is social responsibility an innate feature of human nature.

classic: hn= self seeking crave complete freedomm + autonomy. benthams utilitarianism: all human interests defined as ddesire for pleasure. only ind has right to determine what gives them pleasure. paternalism infringement on ind self determination.

mod: MILL idea humans simply crave pleasure undermines human potential and opp to seek “higher pleasures” mill + th green: developmental individualism incl education. humans more socialble and accept level of social responsibility toward others. support positive freedom + enabling state soc disadvantage mitigated thru welfare and services.

clas: reject any obligation placed on ind toward others. humans r self interested so atomistic soc not collectiviesd