The Struggle of Freedom: From Berlin to Peterson

What does it mean to be ‘free’? The simple and immediate answer that comes for many people is probably, ‘I am free if I am able to choose what I do.’ Whilst this may be true, it fails to address key issues in the discussion of freedom, such as how or if freedom can be attainable if others are hindering your will. This paper will seek to examine what is meant by ‘freedom’ beginning with an overview of free will and how this relates to freedom itself. The works of Isaiah Berlin (1909-1997) will be used to examine freedom alongside some of his critics such as Rousseau and Kant. Further to this the ethical question of freedom of speech will be remarked upon with relation to Jordan Peterson, a professor of psychology. Finally Berlin’s ideas about freedom will be applied to Peterson’s arguments for the protection of free speech as well as those who argue against Peterson in the public forums of a televised debate and a televised discussion panel, in which Peterson was a participant. This...Show moreWhat does it mean to be ‘free’? The simple and immediate answer that comes for many people is probably, ‘I am free if I am able to choose what I do.’ Whilst this may be true, it fails to address key issues in the discussion of freedom, such as how or if freedom can be attainable if others are hindering your will. This paper will seek to examine what is meant by ‘freedom’ beginning with an overview of free will and how this relates to freedom itself. The works of Isaiah Berlin (1909-1997) will be used to examine freedom alongside some of his critics such as Rousseau and Kant. Further to this the ethical question of freedom of speech will be remarked upon with relation to Jordan Peterson, a professor of psychology. Finally Berlin’s ideas about freedom will be applied to Peterson’s arguments for the protection of free speech as well as those who argue against Peterson in the public forums of a televised debate and a televised discussion panel, in which Peterson was a participant. This research combines the disciplines of philosophy, culture and socio-politics to attempt to reach a well formulated and in depth conclusion answering the question, “How does the philosophical concept of ‘liberty’, as understood by Isaiah Berlin, relate to the ethical and socio- political freedom of speech debate, specifically pertaining to discussion of freedom of speech versus usage of gender pronouns in the discussion of gender identity and identity ethics?”Show less

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The Struggle of Freedom: From Berlin to Peterson