One of the things that distinguishes human beings from animals is the sense of ourselves as free, autonomous individuals. In the words of the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle: 'Where we are free to act, we are also free not to act, and where we are able to say 'No', we are also able to say 'Yes'.' Yet human beings have not always seen themselves in this light. In this original and important book, Bernard Williams examines the history of this most human of ideas, showing how at different times and in different places, liberty has had divergent meanings. He uncovers the roots of the concept in the ancient world; examines how personal liberties that once restricted to kings and emperors - to travel, to be free from bondage, to have the power to order one's own actions - have gradually become rights that all citizens in democratic states can enjoy; and looks at the evolving relationship between the government and the citizen. Williams concludes by looking at the democratic, biological and economic challenges that look set to modify once again our understanding of what it means to be free.The consequence of a lifetime's thought by one of the world's leading philosophers, this book is accessible philosophy at its finest.
- ISBN10 0297817043
- ISBN13 9780297817048
- Publish Date 1 January 2011
- Publish Status Cancelled
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Orion Publishing Co
- Imprint Weidenfeld & Nicolson
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 100
- Language English