True Freedom Requires Ability and Autonomy

Positive freedom transcends mere options; it emphasizes the necessity of actual ability to act on those options. While negative freedom presents possibilities free from obstruction, individuals may still find themselves incapacitated by personal issues such as addiction, procrastination, or illness. These conditions can render available choices ineffective, suggesting that true freedom must include the capacity for action. Moreover, the concept of self-rule, which Berlin associates with positive freedom, raises concerns about its vagueness and potential for misinterpretation. Governments could exploit this ambiguity, leading to a constricted definition of freedom that undermines individual autonomy, a historical concern noted by Berlin.