A Theory of Freedom: From the Psychology to the Politics of AgencyIn this short yet ambitious work, Philip Pettit offers a single, unified, and overarching theory of freedom. A puzzling topic, freedom extends from the individual and the metaphysical (i.e. free will) to the social and the political, yet a theory connecting these two realms has yet to be devised. In an elegant, accessible manner, Pettit presents a survey of available theories of freedom, then develops his own--one that manages to straddle the personal and political spheres. The view he develops--which includes the seemingly paradoxical notion that we are free to the extent that we are capable of being held responsible--will make this pioneering book highly important to a wide range of philosophers. |
Other editions - View all
A Theory of Freedom: From the Psychology to the Politics of Agency Philip Pettit Limited preview - 2013 |
A Theory of Freedom: From the Psychology to the Politics of Agency Philip Pettit No preview available - 2001 |
A Theory of Freedom: From the Psychology to the Politics of Agency Philip Pettit No preview available - 2001 |
Common terms and phrases
able agency arbitrary argue beliefs and desires bystander capacity chapter choice citizens claim coercee coercive collective subjects common avowable interests common interests compromise concept of freedom conceptualizing freedom connotation consistent democracy democratic discourse-friendly domination earlier effectively moved electoral endorse ensure exercise extent first-order desires Frankfurt 1988 free action free agency free person freedom as discursive freedom as fitness freedom as non-domination freedom as non-interference freedom as rational freedom as volitional Harry Frankfurt held responsible higher-order volitions hold ideal of freedom ideal of non-domination ideal of non-interference ideal of political identify individual integrated collectivity intentional interference intuitive involved issue judgements matter of common means non-arbitrary option pay-sacrifice Pettit political freedom possible problem question ratiocinative rational control recognize recursive relation relationships relevant republican requires second-order desire sense social someone sort theory of freedom things tions treat underdetermination volitional control vote