Liberalism as a Modus Vivendi: The Philosophy of John Gray

This text provides a penetrating analysis of the philosophy of John Gray, who contrasts Enlightenment monism with the idea of liberalism as a modus vivendi. Gray argues that in a world dominated by value pluralism and the incommensurability of goods, the search for a single, universal model of life is doomed to failure. Instead, he proposes an institutional architecture based on polyphony, subsidiarity, and consociational mechanisms that allow for the peaceful coexistence of conflicting worldviews. The article explores the concept of the "liberalism of fear" and the role of fundamental rights as tools for minimizing cruelty, offering a realistic perspective on contemporary conflicts over freedom and dignity in polycentric societies.