Self-Interest and Social Order in Classical Liberalism | Book Review


In this book, George H. Smith asks and answers a standard question raised by critics about classical liberalism or libertarianism: “How can justice be maintained in a society if most of its members lack the social virtues essential to a free society?” (emphasis in original). The assumption underlying the critics’ question seems to be that if we act in our self-interest, as classical liberalism affirms, we will only act virtuously if “we deem voluntary interaction conducive to our own ends” or if “we fear the legal consequences of aggression.” According to the critics’ assumption, classical liberalism is little more than … Continue reading Self-Interest and Social Order in Classical Liberalism | Book Review

The World Wide (Religious) Web for Monday, May 2, 2011


Obama bin Laden is dead. Here’s President Obama’s statement. He was, apparently, given an Islamic burial at sea. Pope John Paul II is one step closer to sainthood. Remembering David Wilkerson. San Francisco wants to outlaw male circumcision. I’m sure rabbis will soon declare SF non-kosher. Seven urban legends preachers should avoid using as sermon illustrations. Your soul lives online long after you’re dead. Check out David Hume’s non-religious defense of traditional marriage against polygamy and loose divorce laws. What a misleading article in The Nation can teach evangelicals about adoption. GetReligion.org asks, “Is it ever OK to lie?” The … Continue reading The World Wide (Religious) Web for Monday, May 2, 2011