Social Ontology of Liberalism in the Enlightenment Interpretation of Reason: Individualism, Sensualism, Maximization, Anti-Traditionalism

The article raises the question of the origins of modern liberal ideology, which is characterized, on the one hand, by the loss of connection with reality (the collapse of the “end of history” project), but at the same time by the preservation of a specific stability in everyday consciousness. The hypothesis is that liberalism quite successfully exploits the stake on rationality, authorizing itself to be a representative of reason. In this regard, it is appropriate to trace the formation of ideas about rationality, as they were formed in the New Age and especially in the philosophy of the Enlightenment period. Apparently, their defining features are: individualism, i.e. understanding of reason as precisely the thinking ability of an individual; empiricist bias to take into account exclusively the data of the senses. In addition, the interpretation of reason as a means for the most complete achievement of goals that have a source in human sensuality. Finally, an attack on traditional attitudes of consciousness in the Enlightenment, primarily religious ones, as hindering the independent thinking of individuals, interpreted as a clear and simple way to achieve a happy life.