Question

Explain Isiah Berlin’s concept of Liberty.

Answer 1

Isaiah Berlin in his famous essay, 'Two Concepts of Liberty', discussed about Negative and Positive liberty. He believed that liberty is unrestrained. According to Isaiah Berlin, freedom of action is negative liberty. As per this principle, the opportunity to act is important while the action itself is secondary. According to him, the impact of the action is not considered important and hence it is not measured. Therefore, this principle does not give importance to quality. For example, this concept does not make a qualitative difference between choosing one's education, profession, or suffer deprivation. He would rather give importance to give the opportunity to do these actions than the outcome of the action itself.

Isaiah Berlin has mentioned the following features of negative liberty.

1. Individual should have complete freedom of choice. He should not have restraints on the choice of alternatives. Opposition to such restraints is a feature of negative liberty.
2. Negative Liberty is based on Neoliberalism.