ABSTRACT
If the reorganization of one’s society along liberal lines could be shown probably to lead to the immiseration of its members, then there would be little reason to embrace it. So, the question must be raised as to whether the introduction of liberalism has or is likely to have such consequences. Well-being is not, of course, a specifically liberal value and is included in this Part of the book on liberal values because it is a fundamental human value with which all other values must be connected and hence liberal values also. Individuals seek their well-being and associate in various types of society with a view to promoting their well-being. However, the notion of well-being can be distinguished into various elements such as material, spiritual, moral, associational and no doubt many other possible sub-divisions. So, this chapter is likely to be found unsatisfactory from many different points of view. Nevertheless, I must attempt to give a sketch of how liberalism can be reasonably defended in terms of a plausible conception of human well-being.
