Berlin's Two Concepts of Liberty

Berlin's Two Concepts of Liberty distinguish between two ideas of freedom. "Negative liberty" is freedom from interference—allowing individuals to pursue their own goals without external constraints. "Positive liberty" is about self-mastery or self-determination—having control over one’s own life and making meaningful choices. While negative liberty emphasizes protecting individuals from outside interference, positive liberty focuses on enabling individuals to realize their full potential. Berlin argued that these concepts can sometimes conflict, as efforts to promote positive liberty (like paternalism) might restrict negative liberty, raising important debates about the nature and limits of freedom.