![]() ![]() Extremists reject mainstream opinion, including mainstream opinion about acceptable political tactics. ![]() There is a whiff of violence, or at least danger, about extremism. The questionable character of extremism is anyway right there on the surface of our ordinary understanding of the term. Vice is too hot or too cold, a disposition to extremes.īut let’s put Aristotle aside for a moment. The porridge of virtue is always just right. That’s the simple philosophical objection: virtue is a form of well-calibrated moderation in temperament. It follows, almost by definition, that extremism is going to err on the side of excess, except in extraordinary circumstances that legitimately call for extreme measures. I happen to think Aristotle is basically right. According to Aristotle, virtue is a mean between excess and deficiency. The chief difficulty with “extremism in defense of liberty is no vice” is that it pretty straightforwardly violates history’s most popular and plausible theory of virtues and vices. In this post, I’ll take on “extremism in defense of liberty…” In a second installment-soon to follow-I’ll tackle “moderation in pursuit of justice…” Together, these two posts will amount to the beginning of a defense of moderation in politics, an introduction to the themes of this blog, as well as an explanation of its ironic name. Goldwater’s dictum consists of two propositions, both false. It’s a good first step toward an understanding of why, more than a half-century after Goldwater’s failed campaign, an attraction to extremes and a disdain for moderation has left libertarianism languishing at the margins of American political life. Understanding why it’s wrong is useful and important. But Goldwater’s apothegm is completely wrongheaded. This uncompromising spirit of immoderation praised by Goldwater has consistently characterized the “freedom movement” that rose from the rubble of his ill-fated campaign, and his stirring quip has served as a sort of unofficial libertarian motto. “And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!” It’s a rousing sentiment, however it’s phrased. “I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice!” Goldwater actually said, in a slightly less pithy formulation. Karl Hess, Goldwater’s lovable anarchist speechwriter, put them in the Arizona senator’s Republican convention acceptance speech. These deathless lines are generally credited to Barry Goldwater, but he didn’t write them. Moderation in pursuit of justice is no virtue.” “Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |