Skepticism, individuality, and freedom : the reluctant liberalism of Richard Flathman

As one of liberal theory's most important gadflies, Richard Flathman has during the past four decades produced a significant body of work that is iconoclastic, idiosyncratic, and increasingly influential. Flathman criticizes liberal theory's role in justifying a politics of governance that has drifted substantially from liberalism's central commitments to individuality and freedom. It is this challenge, and its implications for the future of liberal theory, that brings together the diverse and distinguished authors of this volume. Topics include the relationships between theory and practice, skepticism and knowledge, individuality and egoism, negative and positive freedom, Hobbes and liberalism, as well as the uneasy connections among liberalism, feminism, and democratic politics. Contributors: Ronald Beiner, Jane Bennett, William E. Connolly, Peter Digeser, Richard Friedman, Nancy J. Hirschmann, George Kateb, Patrick Neal, Anne Norton, Richard Tuck, Jeremy J. Waldron, Linda Zerilli. Bonnie Honig is professor of political science at Northwestern University and a senior research fellow at the American Bar Foundation. David R. Mapel is associate professor of political science at the University of Colorado. Contents......Page 6 Acknowledgments......Page 8 Introduction......Page 10 ONE: The Voice of Richard Flathman in the Conversation of Liberalism......Page 18 TWO: The Skepticism of Willful Liberalism......Page 50 THREE: Breaking into the Prison of Practice: Flathman and Oakeshott on Theorizing and Doing......Page 73 FOUR: Individuality and Egotism......Page 103 FIVE: The Fetish of Individuality: Richard Flathman’s Willfully Liberal Politics......Page 128 SIX: Freedom, Flathman, and Feminism......Page 144 SEVEN: Liberty Conceived as the Opposite of Slavery......Page 172 EIGHT: Hobbes and the Principle of Publicity......Page 197 NINE: Flathman’s Hobbes......Page 229 TEN: Liberalism’s Leap of Faith......Page 248 ELEVEN: Mouths, Bodies, and the State......Page 261 Annotated Bibliography of Works......Page 282 Contributors......Page 288 G......Page 292 R......Page 293 Z......Page 294 The Voice Of Richard Flathman In The Conversation Of Liberalism / Patrick Neal -- The Skepticism Of Willful Liberalism / Linda Zerilli -- Breaking Into The Prison Of Practice : Flathman And Oakeshott On Theorizing And Doing / Peter Digeser -- Individuality And Egotism / George Kateb -- The Fetish Of Individuality : Richard Flathman's Willfully Liberal Politics / Ronald Beiner -- Freedom, Flathman, And Feminism / Nancy J. Hirschmann -- Liberty Conceived As The Opposite Of Slavery / Richard Friedman -- Hobbes And The Principle Of Publicity / Jeremy J. Waldron -- Flathman's Hobbes / Richard Tuck -- Liberalism's Leap Of Faith / Anne Norton -- Mouths, Bodies, And The State / Jane Bennett And William E. Connolly. Bonnie Honig And David R. Mapel, Editors. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 265-269) And Index.