Negative Freedom and Self-liberation

Abstract Defenders of negative freedom consider it an important part of being treated respectfully as an autonomous person capable of acting responsibly in the absence of constraints. Critics, however, argue that negative freedom is compatible with the possibility of making oneself free, or freer, despite being subject to others’ degrading constraints. This objection threatens the significance of negative liberty and has led several political philosophers to endorse alternative conceptions of liberty. This paper clarifies conceptual mistakes in this influential objection and shows how negative freedom is incompatible with self-liberation.