Question

"By liberty I mean the eager maintenance of that atmosphere in which men have the opportunity to be their best selves." Which one of the following expresses the view implied in the above statement?  

(a) Liberty is the absence of restraint on human action. 

(b) Liberty is what law permits people to perform. 

(c) Liberty is the ability to do what one desires. 

(d) Liberty is the maintenance of conditions for the growth of human personality.

Answer 1

(d) (a) is wrong because the sentence says that liberty means the eager maintenance of that atmosphere which might require restrictions as well. 

(b) is wrong because if the people work only according to the law they might become good citizens but might not work to their best selves. 

(c) is wrong because if people do what they desire it might lead to materialist thinking which is not the best self. 

(d) is correct because with the growth of human personalitythe people would be their best selves.