The Tyranny of the Ideal

Gaus lays out a vigorous and widely useful exposition of what a philosophy focused on justice needs to do in order to shift from the real of pure moral philosophy . . . to making recommendations about the political world. ---Christopher Cochrane, Perspectives on Politics This book is a spirited and convincing critique of utopianism and a compelling defense of pluralistic liberalism, and it offers a welcome contribution to the ongoing conversation about the nature and importance of political liberty. ---Kenneth B. McIntyre, Anamnesis This brilliant book is a rich and terrific read and makes an important and--to my knowledge--entirely new argument for an open society: that it is not just about freedom and nondomination but also about enhancing the chances of any society to figure out the global and fitting optimum of justice. It recasts the argument into a brand-new social-scientific mold, with a rigor and analytical clarity that is utterly admirable. --H l ne Landemore, Yale University In political philosophy, theories of justice continue multiplying, seemingly impervious to the fact that few gain any adherents and all find themselves subject to withering criticism. Gerald Gaus argues convincingly that the philosopher's pursuit of the ideal is quixotic, and he takes us further by showing what political philosophy can teach us regarding the good society. He is the ideal guide to the diverse body of work that makes up contemporary political theory. --Chandran Kukathas, London School of Economics In The Tyranny of the Ideal, Gerald Gaus constructs a detailed and powerful argument against the focus on a well-ordered society oriented by reference to an ideal, instead supporting an open society reflecting social complexity and diversity. Gaus amply demonstrates the value of formal models in thinking about normative political philosophy. --Alan Hamlin, University of Manchester