PHILO-120 Lecture Notes - Lecture 23: Joseph Raz, Encomium
1 Sep 2020
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Document Summary
Most ethnocultural groups within western democracies do not want to be protected from the forces of modernity in liberal societies. On the contrary, they want to be full and equal participants in modern liberal societies. The overwhelming majority of debates about multiculturalism are not debates between a liberal majority and communitarian minorities, but debates amongst liberals about the meaning of liberalism. Joseph raz insists that the autonomy of individuals is intimately tied up with access to their culture, with the prosperity and flouring of their culture, and with the respect accorded their culture by others. Each of us, in our own way, agrees that there are compelling interests related to culture and identity which are fully consistent with liberal principle of freedom and equality, and which justify granting special rights to minorities. We can call this the liberal culturalist position. These are important objections, but kymlicka thinks they can be answered.
