Philosophical Liberalism

Liberalism is not easy to describe, much less to define. There is no doubt that it is directly related to beliefs in the importance to individual freedom. In the period between the Reformation and French Revolution it was known as 'a new philosophy with an idea of social initiative and social control surrendered to the idea of an individual initiative and individual control.' It has a wide importance in the world history as the belief had been recognized and accepted by many philosophers. Early liberalism was optimistic, energetic and philosophic, because it represented growing forces which appeared likely to become victorious without great difficulty and to bring by their victory great benefits to mankind.

Liberalism had its origin in England and Holland. It stood for religous tolerantion and it was Protestant. Liberalism valued commerce and industry. Rather than making raise the monarchy and all the aristocracy it favoured the raising of middle class. There was a belief which put an emphasis upon the importance of education as opposed to congenital characteristics. This belief states that all men are born equal, and that their subsequent inequality is a product of circumances.

There was a bias against government because they were in hands of kings and aristocracies. They hoped that it would all change and the understanding and respect would be accepted.
In the 17th Century, liberal ideas began to influence governments in Europe. Countries such us The Netherlands, Switzerland, England in Poland were strongly opposed, often by armed might, by those who favoured absolute monarchy and established religion.

Is Liberalism Individualism?

Meanwhile individualism had penetrated into philosophy. Decrates' fundamental certainty 'I think therefore I am', made his basis of knowledge different for each person, since for each the world starts with his own existence, not that of other individuals or of the community.

Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679)is identified as the most important direct antecedent of modern individualist philosophy. In his Leviathan, Hobbes approved to all individuals natural liberty, as well as equality on the basis of which they are licensed to undertake whatever actions are necessary in order to preserve themselves from their fellow creatures. Hobbes believed that the exercise of such natural liberty logically leads to unceasing conflict and unremitting fear so long as no single sovereign ruler exists to maintain peace.

In contrast to Hobbes, Locke maintains that the natural condition of individual proprietorship can be maintained tranquilly because human beings are deemed sufficiently rational that they can and do generally constrain their free action under the terms of the laws of nature.