on liberty

ON Liberty

General Directions:

How much is required in writing? As much as it takes, no more, no less. But more importantly, I want critical analysis of the specific details, and thoughtful answers. I do ask quite a few questions below, however  if you go through and consider them, read some of the material recommended, there are not that many questions and you should notice a connection. It is the connection I want you to consider when writing the conclusion to this short paper.

No plagiarizing, no copying, no cutting and pasting. For specific details about what may occur if you are caught plagiarizing or copying anothers work, please go to my website and click on THE CLASS link.

Documents you may wish to peruse:

John LockeSecond Treatise(http://www.constitution.org/jl/2ndtreat.htm)

Declaration Preamble (http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration.html)

Aristotle http://oll.libertyfund.org/index.php?option=com_staticxt&staticfile=show.php?person=3787&Itemid=28)

Pennsylvania Declaration of Rights 1776 (http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/bill_of_rightss5.html)

Massachusettes Declaration of 1780 (http://www.nhinet.org/ccs/docs/ma-1780.htm)

Kant discusses positive/negative liberty (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/kant-moral/).

John Stuart Mills On Liberty (http://www.constitution.org/jsm/liberty.htm)

Thomas Hill Green: (http://www.liberal-international.org/editorial.asp?ia_id=683) (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/green/)

Aristotle was a proponent of natural theory. Under Aristotles theory, what did he view as most important to the individual? In Aristotles ideal world, what was valued by the individual? If you cannot discern this from reading his argument, review a couple other documents and upon discovering the main theme, return to Aristotle and look for that theme.

What does Aristotle say about positive liberty?

What is the basic principle of a modern liberal democracy? Why do liberal democracies hold that view/belief?

In liberal democratic theory, which is more important  liberty or democracy?

For liberal democrats (this is not Barack Obama, rather a Liberal Democrat of the 18th century – a much different creature than a liberal Democrat today)  what is happiness or what would make them happy? And why does that make them happy?

Aristotle, Locke, Mills  what is happiness and what makes someone happy? What role does government have?

What is John Lockes view of property and the role of government in the lives of men?

Is there any change between Locke and his view on property and Jefferson and his statement of the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness

Thomas Hill Green, a professor of philosophy in England argued that freedom exists where you the individual contribute to society. How is this view different from the one espoused by Locke.

What, based upon the readings listed above, did the Founding Fathers think of liberty and why? For them, what was synonymous with “liberty and why?

John Stuart Mills On Liberty provides a clear explanation of what liberty meant to people in the 1860s. Was his view/belief much different from Lockes several hundred years before? Locke, Mill, and Jefferson will allow you to make a comparison, and notice differences in their opinions.

Of the questions I have asked, are there any, which reinforce and or support one another  mutually reinforcing. If so, has anything changed since 1790 and why? Think of the answers to each as you consider the question you MUST answer –

Considering the above ideas, and the answers to the question of what is the proper role of government (based upon your examination of liberty and happiness) according to most if not all of the above listed individuals.

What form of government would best protect our happiness, according to the consensus above?

Is there a  answer. Not necessarily. There are answers which have been thought out and considered, and there are answers which are quickly and haphazardly put together. It will be clear the difference. 50 points will be more than any other single assignment. This must be typed/word processed. You must fold it lengthwise when finished, write your name in upper outer corner. It will take up to 3 class periods after you hand it in for me to return it to you. I may hand it back sooner, but no guarantees.