The Dialectics of Liberty: Exploring the Context of Human Freedom

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This collection of essays explores the ways in which the defense of liberty can be bolstered by use of a dialectical methodthat is, a mode of analysis devoted to grasping the full context of philosophical, cultural, and social factors requisite to the sustenance of human freedom. Its strength lies in the variety of disciplines and perspectives represented by contributors who apply explicitly dialectical tools to a classical liberal / libertarian analysis of social and cultural issues. In its conjoining of a dialectical method, typically associated with the socialist left, to a defense of individual liberty, typically associated with the libertarian right, this anthology challenges contemporary attitudes on both ends of the political spectrum. Though this conjunction of dialectics and liberty has been explored before in several works, including a trilogy of books written by one of our coeditors (Chris Matthew Sciabarra), this volume will be the first one of its kind to bring together accomplished scholars in political science, economics, philosophy, aesthetics, psychology, law, history, education, and rhetoric.

Reviews

"This stimulating collection maps out exciting new directions in the philosophy of liberty. The essays are authored by some of the best minds in scholarly libertarian thought today. Whether you are a libertarian or not, you will find many important -- and challenging -- ideas developed here. An important and lively book." -- Mario Rizzo, New York University
The Dialectics of Liberty is a remarkably wide-ranging study of libertarian ideas, conducted by writers of great authority but of different views and approaches. Mature yet lively, it is full of surprises. If you want to know the state of libertarian thought right now, you will need to read this book. -- Stephen Cox, University of California, San Diego
This book of original essays by thinkers from a very wide array of disciplines opens the fascinating possibility of recasting the libertarian and classical liberal points of view in terms of 'dialectical libertarianism.' This way of looking at the matter promises to lay to rest once and for all the charge that these points of view are atomistic and ahistorical. I hope it inspires further research along these lines. -- Lester H. Hunt, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Author Bio

Roger E. Bissell is research associate with the Molinari Institute

Chris Matthew Sciabarra was visiting scholar at New York University

Edward W. Younkins is professor of accountancy and executive director of the Institute for the Study of Capitalism and Morality at Wheeling Jesuit University