Alexandre Lefebvre, Professor of Politics and Philosophy at University of Sydney has an interesting question he likes to ask people: Where do you get your values?
For 60 per cent of the population, which professed to belonging a religion in Australia’s 2021 Census, this, he says, is an easy question.
To the remaining 40 per cent, however, not so much. So, he decided to write a book: Liberalism as a Way of Life.
‘For the unchurched, where you get your values, your belief system, your vibe if you like, is a much more difficult question and people always cast around and say something localised like “my friends, my family, my experiences.”
‘That’s all fine and important but there has to be some broader frame in which you are acquiring your values, and the gambit of my book is that the philosophy that the unchurched in the Western World should be pointing to as the source of who they are today is liberalism.’
Liberalism is a 200-year-old ideology born on the pillars of freedom, fairness, reciprocity and tolerance.
Come along to this fascinating talk and hear Professor Lefebvre argue why today liberalism is so much more than just a political doctrine, or a political party in Australia. It is in fact, he says, the cornerstone of the Western World we inhabit.
This event is free and open to the public – registration is essential. Parking on-site is limited, and we encourage you to consider using public transportation.
Alexandre Lefebvre, Professor of Politics and Philosophy at University of Sydney
Alexandre Lefebvre is Professor of Politics and Philosophy at the University of Sydney. His most recent book is Liberalism as a Way of Life (Princeton University Press, 2024).
Liberalism as a Way of Life
“Richly erudite and thoughtful. A lot of this book is fun, and none of it is frivolous.” – Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker
Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase on the night.
