ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. Comprehensive liberalism usually views personal autonomy as a constituent element of the good life and holds that the liberal state should enhance the autonomy of its citizens. The book discusses another comprehensive strain that is part of the liberal tradition called as the liberalism of flourishing. It discusses intellectualist-moralist liberalism of flourishing and discusses the comprehensive version of the liberalism of flourishing. The book compares autonomy liberalism and the liberalism of flourishing along several key traits: the ideal of the good life; ontology; the distinction between the good and the right; equality; respect; the view of the state, government, politics, civil society, ideals, and religion. It argues that when it comes to meaning, religion enjoys certain advantages over autonomy liberalism in terms of both institutionalization and contents. However, the liberalism of flourishing is better equipped than autonomy liberalism to compete with religion.
