2. Freedom
The chapter emphasizes the critical role of freedom in human life, discussing its multiple dimensions, including the absence of constraints and the ability to develop one's potential. It explores the concept of Swaraj, highlighting the balance between necessary constraints and liberty, and introduces the 'harm principle' as a guideline for justifying limitations to freedom. The implications of freedom in society, individual rights, and the responsibilities that accompany liberty are also examined.
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What we have learnt
- Freedom is the desire of individuals and societies to control their own lives and express themselves.
- There are negative and positive dimensions to freedom, with the former relating to the absence of constraints and the latter relating to opportunities for self-development.
- The harm principle dictates that interference in individual liberty should only occur to prevent harm to others.
Key Concepts
- -- Negative Liberty
- The concept that defines an inviolable area where individuals can act without interference from external authorities.
- -- Positive Liberty
- The idea of freedom that focuses on the opportunities accessible to individuals for self-development and expression.
- -- Swaraj
- A term in Indian political thought that means self-rule, highlighting the importance of both individual freedom and collective responsibility.
- -- Harm Principle
- A principle proposed by John Stuart Mill stipulating that individual liberty can only be justifiably restricted to prevent harm to others.
- -- Social Constraints
- Restrictions imposed by society that may either undermine or facilitate individual freedom.
- -- Freedom of Expression
- The right to express one's thoughts and opinions without censorship, which is fundamental to democratic societies.
Additional Learning Materials
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