Synopsis

What defines individual freedom in a civilised society? Philosophers have argued over such questions for centuries. This unit looks at various concepts of freedom, asking you to think carefully about how freedom is restricted by our place in society and how it can vary from state to state.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Learning outcomes
1 Introducing the concept of freedom
2 The word ‘freedom’
3.1 Preamble
3.2 Negative freedom
3.3 Positive freedom
3.4 The misuse of the concept of positive liberty
3.5 The notion of a final solution
3.6 Berlin criticised: one concept of freedom?
4.1 Unit summary
4.2 Further reading
Next steps
Acknowledgements

 

---