LIBERTY FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
100% VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS!!
Liberty
In the sphere of political philosophy it refers to individual autonomy; either the ability to act
without external interference or the capacity to act in one's own best interests; "doing what one
desires" (Mill) or "the absence of obstacles to possible choices & activities." (Berlin)
Two concepts of liberty
1958 lecture by Isaiah Berlin in which he sought to distinguish between negative & positive
liberty & asserted that the former must be a necessary precursor to the latter in avoiding
totalitarian abuse.
Negative liberty
Freedom from interference; this encompasses both the actions of others & state regulation.
Concerned with marking out a sphere in which one is able to act as one wishes as much as
possible without infringing the freedom of others.
Positive liberty
Concerned with achieving autonomy by accessing one's higher, rational self. Can imply state
intervention in order to provide resources necessary for self-development. Arguably involves
authoritarian/totalitarian assumptions about what is best for one. Often associated with religious
moral teachings & Marxism.
Liberalism
The political tradition most synonymous with negative liberty e.g. Mill: "...the only freedom
which deserves the name is that of pursuing our own good in our own way."
Harm principle
J S Mill: "...the sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in
interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. That the only
purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community,
100% VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS!!
Liberty
In the sphere of political philosophy it refers to individual autonomy; either the ability to act
without external interference or the capacity to act in one's own best interests; "doing what one
desires" (Mill) or "the absence of obstacles to possible choices & activities." (Berlin)
Two concepts of liberty
1958 lecture by Isaiah Berlin in which he sought to distinguish between negative & positive
liberty & asserted that the former must be a necessary precursor to the latter in avoiding
totalitarian abuse.
Negative liberty
Freedom from interference; this encompasses both the actions of others & state regulation.
Concerned with marking out a sphere in which one is able to act as one wishes as much as
possible without infringing the freedom of others.
Positive liberty
Concerned with achieving autonomy by accessing one's higher, rational self. Can imply state
intervention in order to provide resources necessary for self-development. Arguably involves
authoritarian/totalitarian assumptions about what is best for one. Often associated with religious
moral teachings & Marxism.
Liberalism
The political tradition most synonymous with negative liberty e.g. Mill: "...the only freedom
which deserves the name is that of pursuing our own good in our own way."
Harm principle
J S Mill: "...the sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in
interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. That the only
purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community,
