Negative Liberty Should Be Pursued Although liberty and equality harbour contrasting ideals, one concept can essentially deliver the provisions of both by prioritizing one over the other. Of the various forms of equality, modern day civilization thrives for equality of rights. This brand of equality endeavors to create a society where all citizens are equal and provided with the same opportunities. Though not entirely different, liberty upholds the belief that each person should have freedom to do as they please. Specifically, negative liberty demands freedom sans barriers, obstacles, constraints and other socially and politically bindings that can restrict a person’s autonomy. Dissimilarly, positive liberty fundamentally means that each
…show more content…
Favoring negative liberty can result in the notion presented by Thomas Hobbes, a 16th century philosopher. Hobbes believed that human beings are naturally wicked, possessing the intense need to acquire more and more power regardless of the means to do so. By truly attaining negative liberty, citizens will be free of barriers and constraints allowing them to do as they individually please. This can be harmful as these individuals will put themselves above others and do whatever it may take to satisfy their needs and wants even though it may impact the lives of others. As a result, it distorts the ideals of equality because each person will be at different levels without the same opportunities. Modern day civilisation flourishes on the sweat and backs of the less fortunate. Men, woman and children of all ages are subjected to harsh working environments and living circumstances which provide little to no food, shelter and basic hygiene. This condition that many face in third world countries and other alike are as a result of negative liberty for the reason that this form of liberty promotes individualism. When one practices individualism they possess a certain ideology, which places their needs before others. This way of thinking ensures that equality can never happen. Although negative liberty is predominantly progressive, in certain cases it can prove to be …show more content…
In the past negative liberty has proved to be detrimental because it promotes individualism and the act of exploitation. This has resulted in the subjection of little to no food, a lack of shelter and awful hygiene which have brought about additional difficulties in the person’s life. Contrastingly, negative liberty can be positive providing groups with the much-needed freedom to be viewed as an equal and to prosper in society. Groups such as African Americans, if granted negative liberty, would not be subjected to the discriminatory barriers that are evident in the employment industry. Additionally, negative liberty provides people who are not essentially a citizen of a country to reside in it making them equal to the other residents as well. Although negative liberty can be detrimental, the positive aspects far outweigh the negative and should be pursued as it will produce both liberty and
Favoring negative liberty can result in the notion presented by Thomas Hobbes, a 16th century philosopher. Hobbes believed that human beings are naturally wicked, possessing the intense need to acquire more and more power regardless of the means to do so. By truly attaining negative liberty, citizens will be free of barriers and constraints allowing them to do as they individually please. This can be harmful as these individuals will put themselves above others and do whatever it may take to satisfy their needs and wants even though it may impact the lives of others. As a result, it distorts the ideals of equality because each person will be at different levels without the same opportunities. Modern day civilisation flourishes on the sweat and backs of the less fortunate. Men, woman and children of all ages are subjected to harsh working environments and living circumstances which provide little to no food, shelter and basic hygiene. This condition that many face in third world countries and other alike are as a result of negative liberty for the reason that this form of liberty promotes individualism. When one practices individualism they possess a certain ideology, which places their needs before others. This way of thinking ensures that equality can never happen. Although negative liberty is predominantly progressive, in certain cases it can prove to be …show more content…
In the past negative liberty has proved to be detrimental because it promotes individualism and the act of exploitation. This has resulted in the subjection of little to no food, a lack of shelter and awful hygiene which have brought about additional difficulties in the person’s life. Contrastingly, negative liberty can be positive providing groups with the much-needed freedom to be viewed as an equal and to prosper in society. Groups such as African Americans, if granted negative liberty, would not be subjected to the discriminatory barriers that are evident in the employment industry. Additionally, negative liberty provides people who are not essentially a citizen of a country to reside in it making them equal to the other residents as well. Although negative liberty can be detrimental, the positive aspects far outweigh the negative and should be pursued as it will produce both liberty and