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Single Idea 5575

[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 6. Liberalism / d. Liberal freedom ]

Full Idea

A constitution providing for the greatest human freedom according to laws that permit the freedom of each to exist together with that of others is at least a necessary idea.

Gist of Idea

An obvious idea is a constitution based on maximum mutual freedom for citizens

Source

Immanuel Kant (Critique of Pure Reason [1781], B373/A316)

Book Ref

Kant,Immanuel: 'Critique of Pure Reason', ed/tr. Guyer,P /Wood,A W [CUO 1998], p.397


A Reaction

The basis of Mill's 'On Liberty'. Given that he claims it to be a necessary idea, it is strikingly characteristic of the Enlightenment, and not the sort of thing that occurred to people in 1320. Individual freedom acquired a value. John Lilburne?


The 13 ideas with the same theme [importance of freedom with liberalism]:

An obvious idea is a constitution based on maximum mutual freedom for citizens [Kant]
Actions are right if the maxim respects universal mutual freedoms [Kant]
Our aim is a constitution which combines maximum freedom with strong restraint [Kant]
The vitality of business needs maximum freedom (while avoiding harm to others) [Kant]
In modern states an individual's actions should be their choice [Hegel]
The main argument for freedom is that interference with it is usually misguided [Mill]
Liberal freedom is the right to be separate, and ignores the union of man with man [Marx]
Equality also implies liberty, because equality must be of opportunity as well as possessions [Green,TH]
In the least evil societies people can think, control community life, and be autonomous [Weil]
Liberalism tends to give priority to basic liberties [Kymlicka]
Are egalitarians too coercive, or not egalitarian enough, or lax over morality? [Kekes]
Liberal freedom was a response to assigned destinies like caste and class [Sandel]
No government, or the whole nation, can control an individual beyond legitimate scope [Dunt]