Freedom

Question 1

What is freedom for an early liberal?

Answer 1

A natural right

Question 2

For early liberals what did freedom give individuals the opportunity to do?

Answer 2

Pursue their own interests by exercising choice such as the choice of where to live, work etc.

Question 3

How have later liberals viewed freedom?

Answer 3

The only condition in which people are able to develop their skills and talents and fulfill their potential

Question 4

What do liberals not accept?

Answer 4

That individuals have an absolute right to freedom

Question 5

What can happen if liberty is unlimited?

Answer 5

It can become “license”, the right to abuse others

Question 6

What did John Stuart Mill argue in “on liberty”?

Answer 6

That the only purpose for which a person’s liberty can be limited is to prevent harm to others

Question 7

What is John Stuart Mill?

Answer 7

A libertarian

Question 8

What is a libertarian?

Answer 8

Someone who accepts only the most minimal restrictions on individual freedom

Question 9

What does Mill not accept?

Answer 9

Any restrictions on the individual that are designed to prevent a person from damaging him/herself either physically or morally

Question 10

What does such a libertarian view suggest?

Answer 10

That seatbelt and helmet laws are unacceptable, as is any form of censorship limiting what a person may read or listen to

Question 11

What may radical libertarians defend?

Answer 11

The right of individuals to use addictive drugs

Question 12

What did John Rawls express?

Answer 12

The principle that everyone is entitled to the widest possible liberty consistent with a like liberty for all

Question 13

Who distinguished between two concepts of liberty?

Answer 13

Isaiah Berlin in “two concepts of liberty”

Question 14

What two types of liberty did Berlin develop?

Answer 14

Positive and negative freedom

Question 15

Which concept of liberty do classical liberals prefer?

Answer 15

Negative freedom

Question 16

Define negative freedom

Answer 16

Freedom consists of each person being left alone, free from interference and able to act in whatever way they may choose

Question 17

Why is negative freedom negative?

Answer 17

Because it is based on the absence of external restrictions or constraints of the individual

Question 18

Which concept of freedom do modern liberals prefer?

Answer 18

Positive freedom

Question 19

Define positive freedom

Answer 19

The ability to be ones own master, to be autonomous. Self mastery requires that the individual is able to develop skills and talents, broaden their understanding and gain fulfilment

Question 20

What did positive freedom lead to an emphasis on?

Answer 20

The capacity of human beings to develop and ultimately achieve self-realisation

Question 21

What have these rival conceptions of liberty encouraged?

Answer 21

Liberals to hold very different views about the desirable relationships between the individual and the state