Paper Summary:

This paper contends that the basic principle of "liberty" is not just that misused word "freedom" but rather equality under the law. The paper claims that liberty, in the 21st century has also been misdiagnosed as "democracy"- in the Bush Administration's misguided efforts to "bring democracy" to the entire world. The paper compares this interpretation of liberty to that of Plato and Aristotle and analyzes how these two philosophers tend to look at what the individual contributes to the state- wit, intelligence, morality, and a sort of "goodness." In contrast, the paper argues that the American Constitution, which best lays out government's responsibility to its citizens, as well as protection, equality and justice under a set of fair laws, should be considered the most important definition of liberty in the modern age.

From the Paper:

" Plato, for example, lived in a time where the city-states, like Athens had some sort of "free society" but there were class distinctions which, legally, made different people unequal under the law. Plato sees people as being reasonable, assuming they follow rules (and believe in justice) and therefore have a certain "goodness." Plato, it would seem, was examining and furthering his beliefs in what can be called "perfectability" (for example, in our times, a law banning drunk driving). The idea here would seem to be if you make it illegal it will make people think twice about performing this illegal act. Plato, therefore, sees virtue in moderation. When it comes to the way they view the direction of Man. Plato is far more concerned with VIRTUE...not merely the innate "goodness" of citizens, but the level of human spirit they have achieved in a society at any given time. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Adler, Mortimer: "Liberty" in Syntopicon- Great Books of the Western World, vol. 2. Chicago:" University of Chicago Press (1952)
• Aristotle : "Nicomachean Ethics" Great Books of the Western World, Vol. 9 Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica/University of Chicago Press (1952)
• Mill, John Stuart: "On Liberty" Great Books of the Western World, vol 43 Chicago: University of Chicago Press 91952).
• Plato: "The Republic" Great Books of the Western World, Vol. 7 Chicago: University of Chicago Press (1952)

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