Final exam : Liberty

john Stuart mill

utilitarianism and Liberty

central concern

the limits of power that society and the state may legitimately exercise over the individual

the harm principle

an individual is accountable to society only for actions which may harm others

Domain of liberty:

Behavior that directly affects only oneself. it includes: Liberty of conscience, thought, feeling, opinion, tastes and pursuits, and freedom of association

no opinion should be suppressed because:

We can never be sure that a particular opinion is false.

confronting and refuting a mistaken opinion we gain something → a chance to strengthen the views we hold.

Essential value for Mill

individuality

why is liberty valuable for individuals

free development of their individuality is crucial to their well-being.

Experimentation

learning about the worth of different activities and ways of life

harm to others

legal

harm to self

social

crucial distinction of erasure between public and private

private acts in public can be prohibited

Whether this act can / does harm others ?

Isaiah berlin & two concepts of liberty

Negative and positive concept of liberty

Negative concept of liberty

Freedom is the Absence of physical interference and impediments to possible action

liberal

Positive concept of liberty

freedom is the presence of something: autonomy, self- determination, self direction, self mastery

illiberal /totalitarianism

violation of negative freedom:

you are directly interrupted and prevented from proceeding until you have complied with coercer’s demands. Our options for action are reduced

Violation of positive freedom

the coercer subjects your will to his. in suffering such subjection, you are revealed to be under external control. our autonomy is violated

republican concept of unfreedom

central concern : domination

freedom as non-domination

opposite of free regime

tyranny or despotism

Republican concept of Freedom

freedom as non interference

• Someone dominates or subjugates another person to the extent that they:

• have the capacity to interfere; on an arbitrary basis;

  in certain choices another person is in a position to make.

Republican Vs negative liberty

republicans : one can be subject to domination without actual physical interference. Domination or non-domination is about the status of a person, not a particular action.

One be subject to interference but not dominated

These are non-arbitrary laws in two senses:

a) they are enacted by the processes of a proper constitution and rule of law

b) the laws are fully in accordance with the interests and values of citizens.

Republican Vs positive liberty

does not imply such a strong conception of citizenship

The rule of law, check and balances, and a working constitution are more important than direct and constant participation in politics