Political Awareness

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Defining Liberty: Philosophical, Legal, and Social Perspectives

Here we examine the philosophical and political dimensions of liberty and freedom, primarily focusing on the tension between individual rights and state authority. A central theme is John Stuart Mill’s individuality and his harm principle, which suggests that the only justification for interfering with a person’s liberty is to prevent injury to others. The texts also distinguish between negative liberty, defined as the absence of external obstacles, and positive liberty, which involves the capacity for self-mastery and achieving one’s true potential. Historical debates between Thomas Hobbes and John Locke illustrate competing views on the social contract, weighing absolute monarchical security against the necessity of consent from the governed. Additionally, the materials apply these theoretical frameworks to modern controversies, including paternalism, multiculturalism, and freedom of expression.