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Liberalism for liberals, cannibalism for cannibals

Tue, 5 Jun 2001

Eminent sociologist Professor Steven Lukes, of the London School of Economics and New York University, will give an invited lecture at the University of East Anglia on Friday 8 June.

With the provocative title "Liberalism for liberals, cannibalism for cannibals", Professor Lukes will respond to the view of many "multiculturalists" that freedom, individual rights and toleration are just the local values of our "western" culture. If liberals are supposed to respect other cultures as much as their own, shouldn't they extend that respect to intolerant fundamentalism and even to cannibalism?

Steven Lukes has written the definitive biography of Emile Durkheim, founding father of modern sociology, as well as incisive monographs on Marxism and morality, individualism, and power. In lighter moments, this prolific author has written about political jokes, as well as a satirical philosophical fable about political utopias.

This lecture is in memory of Martin Hollis, who was the leading philosopher of the social sciences of his generation, and who until his death in 1998 was Professor of Philosophy at UEA, where he also played a key role in university administration. Martin Hollis and Steven Lukes were collaborators and sparring partners over many years, and together edited a classic collection of essays Kafionalify and Relativism.

The lecture starts at 5.30 pm in Lecture Theatre 1 on Friday 8 June. Admission is free and open to everyone. Contact Joyce Griffin on: 01603 592114, if you would like further details.

Ends

If you would like further information please contact Annette Wood at the UEA Press Office on: 01603 593496.
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