Summary of Patrick J. Deneen's Why Liberalism Failed (Politics and Culture)

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book.

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#1 The name of liberalism is liberty. It is the belief in and pursuit of human freedom. Liberals have proven to be attractive and resilient because of this core commitment to the longing for human freedom so deeply embedded in the human soul.

#2 While there are continuities between modernity and premodernity, such as the liberal political philosophy that arose in distinction to premodern forebears, the rejection of religious and social norms was fundamental to the foundations of liberalism.

#3 The classical and Christian effort to foster virtue was rejected as both paternalistic and ineffectual. Instead, politics was based upon the low standards of pride, selfishness, greed, and glory.

#4 liberalism is based on the belief that liberty can be achieved by overthrowing previous philosophic tradition and religious and social norms, and by introducing a new relationship between humans and nature.

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Ebook: 1 April 2022