JOURNAL ARTICLE
Cite JOURNAL ARTICLE
Style
Format
Das Gespenst der Unvernunft: Über die Schwierigkeit, liberal zu sein
Der Staat, Vol. 61 (2022), Iss. 3 : pp. 433–460
Additional Information
Article Details
Pricing
Author Details
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Alexander Somek, Rechtswissenschaftliche Fakultät, Institut für Rechtsphilosophie, Universität Wien, Schenkenstraße 8–10, 1010 Wien, Österreich
Abstract
The Specter of Unreason
On the Difficulties of Being Liberal
How is a liberal society to deal with what is perceived, by most, as the unreasonableness of some? The classical liberal response of disenfranchisement can no longer persuade. But this this mean that, explicitly antiliberal opposition aside, that all apparently nonsensical ideas have to be treated with respect and counted as elements of our reasonable disagreements? It is argued that they should, indeed, be given the benefit of the doubt, even if it cannot be ruled out that ostentatious demonstrations of unreasonableness are merely opposition to liberal democracy in disguise.