Foundations of Freedom: Welfare-Based Arguments Against Paternalism

What makes individual freedom valuable? People have always believed in freedom, have sought it, and have sometimes fought and died for it. The belief that it is something to be valued is widespread. But does this belief have a rational foundation?

This book examines answers to these questions that are based on the welfare of the person whose freedom is at stake. There are various conceptions of a worthwhile life, a life that is valuable for the person whose life it is. These conceptions will be examined to see whether they are plausible and what their connection, if any, is to freedom. Are they compelling foundations for freedom? Does freedom make a person’s life better or would his/her welfare be advanced by restricting freedom?

Simon R. Clarke is an independent scholar. He received his doctorate from Oxford University and was a lecturer in the Philosophy Department at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand for seven years. He has also taught at the University of Nottingham and been a visiting scholar at Princeton University and Columbia Law School.