Observing some dialog and the thoughts of others on a few threads here, one quite recently, I began to think what it really does mean to be liberal.

We so often count liberal as a political ideology. And though it is, it is more than that. It is a generosity. To be truly liberal, I believe one cannot hold too tightly to any ideology, because if so, then one cannot be generous toward those of opposing views.

I believe to be liberal takes the greatest confidence, cos a true liberal does not need others to side with him or her. A true liberal can generously give each one their own right and not become easily upset with difference, with opposition to that which he believes and lives by.

Though one of a liberal mindset will well share his worldview and perhaps even purpose to be persuasive, when all is said and done, there is a respect for others to maintain their personal vision and modus operandi.

If we count ourselves liberal on the basis of certain issues, but do not carry liberality in how we hear others and in turn voice our own political embrace, I would say we are "fundamental" no matter whether we ascribe to certain political parties and platforms otherwise noted as liberal.

OhDear

Defining a Liberal and Liberalism is often difficult. I find myself at odds with the editors in Wikipedia and other information sites. Myself I go to the dictionary meanings and the history of liberalism and liberals of note.

Wikipedia and other places speak of classical liberalism as one form of liberalism. They tie it to laissez-faire economics and then in another breath acknowledge Keynes, as a liberal.

Beware getting all definitions off sites on the internet that are not sources from outside it.

The one issue I have with the internet, is most sites are built and/or maintained by Spock type individuals who think logic is the end all. Sometimes nuance and flavor is totally lost to them.


Wikipedia even ties liberalism to Ayn Rand and her idiotic Objectivist lunacies.

arrrgh!

I know. . . right?

DB, as a study in the nuance of liberalism, let's take your avatar for a moment.

Which man depicted in it, would you say best expresses liberalism as you embrace it?

And why?

OhDear

God v Science?

Why science of course. If not for science and the age of enlightenment we'd all be living like most of the folks now living under Muslim rule. The whole world never got a chance to share in the West's renaissance.

Liberalism was born out of the renaissance.

that was easy

I see. Rather, I maybe did not see. I did not see God vs. science in that avatar. I saw two men. And maybe it is time for me to get some vision correction!!!

Anyhow I saw one man to be winged and the other to be stooped over. I saw the man with wings to be liberal in that he can both protect and shelter others, as wings do. And he can fly away. A personal freedom.

I saw the other man as perhaps a teacher. Bent over with the weight of years, unchanging in his idealogy. A limited vision.

That is what I saw. Imagine that, and it's not quite 9:30 in the morning yet!!!

OhDear

I can and have seen the same thing in that image. It is me and isn't me. It is also struggle and compromise.

It is all a matter of perception and what time of the morning it is.

Well I do like your avatar. It speaks volumes. And says something about you.

OhDear

Thats cuz conservatives portray liberals as godless and immoral. Just watch Fox news as an example!

Fair and balanced- yeah.....

Chandon, I like ya. I have read you enuf to say that you voice a reasonable agenda, a peaceful worldview for all.

Still, it is that kind of blanket stereotyping that you just wrote that I feel edges into fundamentalism, whether by political issues you would stand as liberal or conservative. I think that you are judging all conservatives in your statement. And judging them to judge liberals! LOL

A vicious cycle that neither is rooted in liberalism or conservative beliefs, but in fundamentalism that needs followers. Unyielding and always wielding!

And that defies the true meaning of being liberal.

OhDear

Do you think chandon is a liberal?

hmmmm?