Liberalism and Value Pluralism

(Hardback)

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Value pluralism is the view that fundamental human goods, such as liberty, equality and justice, are irreducibly plural and incommensurable. Where such goods conflict, we must make hard choices betweem them, unguided by determinate hierarchies of value such as those proposed by the utilitarians and by Kant. In this book, George Crowder looks at the implications of value pluralism for political theory and in particular for the foundations of liberalism. He argues that while pluralism presents a serious challenge to some of the standard approaches to political theory, it is nontheless compatible with a substantial range of argumants grounded in context. The second focus of the book concerns the arguments put forward by Isaiah Berlin and others showing how pluralism might give us a reason to accept liberalism. Crowder offers an extended attempt to argue for liberalism from a pluralist point of view. He goes on to make a case for liberalism in its more egalitarian and multicultural version, as the political form most hospitable to a mulitplicity of values.

Reviews

"Liberalism and Value Pluralism is surely the most sophisticated of recent attempts to marry the two camps [of liberalism and value pluralism]. Crowder writes with clarity and generosity. The rigor and care of his analysis, the remarkably systematic presentation, the charity with which he interprets opposing viewpoints-all of these make the book an enjoyable and deeply sympathetic read. Crowder has written a book that many will find compelling and persuasive. It is also, indisputably, an impressive contribution to the literature." -Chad Cyrenne, Ethics
A really excellent and thorough synthesis of the argument so far, which also makes numerous original contributions; immediately the standard work on the subject.' - Henry Hardy, The Isaiah Berlin Virtual Library George Crowder's book ... reformulates the key terms of the debate, and thus develops a new and original position. The book is written with exceptional clarity, offering frequent recapitulations of the overall argument and careful statements of how each section fits into the overall scheme.' - J. Donald Moon, Perspectives on Politics An impressive and important book.' - William A. Galston, Australian Journal of Political Science Clearly written and carefully argued, this book will be of interest to scholars, graduate students and advanced undergraduates.' - Stephen L. Newman, Political Studies Review

Author Bio

George Crowder has taught political philosophy in Britain, the United States, Eastern Europe, and Australasia, and is currently Senior Lecturer in Political Theory at Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia.