A Study Of Isaiah Berlin’s Liberalism & Pluralism

Isaiah Berlin`s thought of pluralistic liberalism is one of the most important theoretical contributions of “Neo” Liberalism. He opened a brand new mind path for the future study of political science. To begin with the definition of liberty and liberalism,the thesis researched and listed theoretical lineage of liberalism in history, trying to locate the background where Berlin constructed his thought. Berlin`s special life experiences and his triple identity, born in a Jewish family, growing up in the turbulent Russian, inspired by the British elite education, gave him a very unusual perspective on the history of 20 th century. All of these gave him the “replying academic style”. The thesis emphasizes the basic content, specialties and nature of Berlin`s thinking. His most well-known contribution is the concept of “two liberties”, giving a deep thought of people`s "sense of reality". Although he built the environment of pluralism, he was mostly questioned by other researchers about coordinate between different good values. Finally, the method of dialectical materialism is used to analyze and evaluate Berlin`s opinions on liberty objectively. He still sticks to the negative liberty. Shortly, Berlin`s reconsideration of being "rational" in western orthodox humanity, has become a strong weapon to go against monism and for pluralism,otherwise shaking the foundations of the traditional liberal theory. Berlin is treated as a thinker who goes opposite the mainstream ideas. At the same time, there are definite limitations thus bringing along lots of questioning and criticizes.