Thursday, January 6, 2011

Negative and positive freedom

In Groundwork, there is a distinction between negative freedom and positive freedom. Negative concept of freedom is articulated by contrast with natural necessity. According to Kant's account, freedom is the property of will. Will is a kind of causality which is different from the physical causality determined by external causes. Causality of will is derived from free will itself independently from alien causes.

There is a positive concept of freedom which is based on the concept of autonomy. In western tradition, autonomy generally means self-government, that is, one acts according to his will and choice without intervene. However, according to Kant, autonomy also means law-author. Rational being as autonomous agent gives the moral law to itself and complies the law.

The new semester will start from next Monday and I will read more material.Read faster!!!

No comments:

Post a Comment