Single Idea 23092

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 6. Liberalism / b. Liberal individualism]

Full Idea

It is important [for liberals] to realise that agents have no control over their possession of the capacities and opportunities on which their autonomy depends.

Gist of Idea

Agents have little control over the capacities needed for liberal autonomy

Source

John Kekes (Against Liberalism [1997], 03.2)

Book Reference

Kekes,John: 'Against Liberalism' [Cornell 1997], p.50


A Reaction

It can be replied to Kekes that they also have little control over the capacities upon which his prized 'desert' depends. It may be an axiom of all modern political thought that people have less control than we imagine.