libertarianism
libertarianism Lexical Profile
libertarianism Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A political philosophy and movement that upholds individual liberty as a core principle, advocating for minimal state intervention in the personal lives and economic choices of citizens.
"The seminar explored the historical evolution of libertarianism and its emphasis on free markets and civil liberties."
The metaphysical doctrine that human beings possess genuine free will and that moral agency is incompatible with causal determinism.
"In the philosophy of mind, she defended metaphysical libertarianism against the arguments of hard determinists."
Word Nuance & Usage
In political philosophy, 'libertarianism' emphasizes strict limits on state power and maximum individual and economic autonomy, whereas in metaphysics, it refers specifically to the doctrine that human beings possess free will that is incompatible with determinism.
• Rhymes for libertarianism
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the late 18th century from 'libertarian' and the suffix '-ism', ultimately tracing back to the Latin 'libertas' (freedom), originally used in metaphysical debates regarding free will before being adopted as a political term in the 19th century.