Rationalism,Pluralism,and Freedom
Levy's book Rationalism,Pluralism,and Freedom examines two approaches to the relationship between individuals,intermediate groups,and states that feature prominently in liberal thought. [7] The first approach,which Levy calls pluralist,is wary of the central state and friendly toward local,customary,voluntary,or intermediate bodies,communities,and associations. The second approach,which Levy refers to as rationalist,is committed to intellectual progress,universalism,and equality before a unified law. Liberals with the rationalist mindset tend to view intermediate groups with skepticism,seeing their distinctions and inequalities as arbitrary,irrational,and inimical to freedom. They tend to be more friendly to the central state,viewing it as a means of protecting individuals against the local tyrannies of religious and ethnic groups,closed associations,families,and other intermediate bodies. [8]
Levy argues that the debate between the rationalist and pluralist mindsets cannot be resolved,and that liberal political theorists should refrain from attempting to synthesize the rationalist and pluralist approaches. According to Levy,both mindsets provide insights about freedom that should not be ignored. [7]
