Too Much from Too Little: A Critique of Gerald Gaus's Libertarian Neutralism

50 Pages Posted: 24 Jan 2017

See all articles by Matthew H. Kramer

Matthew H. Kramer

University of Cambridge; University of Cambridge - Faculty of Law

Date Written: January 17, 2017

Abstract

Gerald Gaus is the pre-eminent contemporary exponent of the libertarian strand of anti-perfectionism. His relevant writings over three decades include some powerful and lengthy tomes as well as many articles, but I will concentrate here on certain lines of reasoning in two quite recent essays of his. In those essays, Gaus endeavors to establish that his variety of neutralism -- with its distinctively libertarian tenor -- can be derived from some premises that are compelling and therefore largely uncontroversial.

This article will contest some aspects of his derivation and will particularly contest his suggestion that his premises are suitably uncontroversial as the bases for a doctrine of liberal neutralism. Both his neutralism and his libertarianism will come under challenge here. Because Gaus has produced such a highly impressive body of work, my engagement with his sophisticated reflections can signal the need for some departures from neutralism in its current forms.

Keywords: Gerald Gaus, libertarianism, neutralism, perfectionism, Rawlsianism, liberalism, moral justification

Suggested Citation

Kramer, Matthew H., Too Much from Too Little: A Critique of Gerald Gaus's Libertarian Neutralism (January 17, 2017). University of Cambridge Faculty of Law Research Paper No. 8/2017, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2903934 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2903934

Matthew H. Kramer (Contact Author)

University of Cambridge ( email )

Trinity Ln
Cambridge, CB2 1TN
United Kingdom
44-1223-336231 (Phone)

University of Cambridge - Faculty of Law ( email )

10 West Road
Cambridge, CB3 9DZ
United Kingdom

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
143
Abstract Views
1,066
Rank
366,852
PlumX Metrics