Monday, January 18, 2016

What is the relation between freedom and responsibilities?

I think that much of this depends on specific thinkers and
what their opinion is of where the line between pure expression of freedom and the
notion of accountability exists.  Most Classical Liberal thinkers like Locke argue that
one's freedom is limitless until it seeks to encroach on another's being.  In this
light, the responsible use of freedom is to ensure that one's personal expression does
not trade off with another.  Some have argued that one has to link their own sense of
freedom with a collective entity.  One cannot be personally free if there is social
bondage or conditions that limit others.  This conception of freedom makes a stronger
link between freedom and responsibilities to others.  In American political thought, an
interesting discussion of the notion of freedom and responsible speech and action
accompanies a study of Supreme Court Justice Holmes' misquoting of "yelling fire in a
crowded theatre."  It is interesting to examine how Justice Holmes links freedom and
personal responsibility.

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