Philosophical understanding of freedom

Philosophical Understanding of Freedom
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1. Equating Freedom with Free Will
Free will can be viewed as a canonical designator to control over one’s actions. Li views free will as a troubled concept that cannot be used to explain freedom. Taking that perspective, it’s clearly evident in the position that Li takes. Freedom is greater than free will. Free will is only a concept that which takes refuge under the umbrella of freedom. For example, Li, in reference to Socrates, says that the soul’s freedom in a person’s master philosophy. However, such a case does not apply to free will. In reference to Aristotle, Li accepts that free will is a voluntary or involuntary action. The ancient Greek philosophy embraces freedom as a concept of greater value to humanity while free will is left out. Li feels that the ancient Greeks couldn’t appeal to its importance in the account for humanity concepts. West philosophers, on the other hand, viewed free will as a projection of rational and intellectual choices in human life. Free will simply control one’s actions. As Li says, free will can be compared to a little man in a person’s head that controls their actions.
2. Relationship Between Freedom and Autonomy
According to Li, freedom and autonomy shares a close relationship.However, autonomy is a subset of freedom and cannot exist in its absence. It becomes impossible for a person to act autonomously when the free environment is dead. However, turning the tables, freedom is achieved through personal autonomy.

By examining each side, one can understand the other in a clear and better way. Looking at Dina Meyer’s perception of autonomy, it’s a personal journey of self-discovery and actualization. The willingness to learn about the self and to actualize what you have learned into meaningful enquiries and rational choices.
The Confucian approach is entirely different from that of the westerners. Confucian perception of autonomy is based on morals such as character building and virtual formation, unlike the westerners who base it on an individualistic approach. However, the two seem to agree on one aspect where autonomy is viewed as an important propellant to socialization and freedom. Further, as Li says, Confucian borrow a lot about freedom from the feminist philosophy which is based in the West. The Confucian take on choice as an action that relies on what’s available. They view it as influenced by an external force in a specific way which surmounts to freedom since it’s impossible to make a choice without freedom.
3. Freedom Versus Liberty
The question of freedom and liberty seem to be distinct but are often used interchangeably. According to Li, freedom is based on general philosophy while liberty is grounded on a political and social basis. Liberty is a sign of freedom that is achieved through social rules known as civil rights. While Confucianism doesn’t hold much to liberty, it offers an opportunity for freedom and liberty to thrive together. Much of what Li, presents about liberty is a broad extension of freedom which is overly integrated into freedom and have an inseparable status. A violation of liberty is a freedom violation.

Bibliography
BIBLIOGRAPHY Frankfurt, Harry. 2018. “Freedom of the Will and the Concept of a Person.” In Agency And Responsibility, 77-91. Routledge Publisher.
Gemes, Ken, Simon May, and Simon Philip Walter May. 2009. Nietzsche on freedom and autonomy. Oxford University Press.
Hon, Tze-ki. 2009. “Max Ko-wu Huang, The Meaning of Freedom: Yan Fu and the Origins of Chinese Liberalism.” China Perspectives 56-67.
Li, Chenyang. 2014. “The Confucian Concept of Freedom.” Philosophy East and West (University of Hawaii Press) 64 (4): 902-919. doi:10.1353/pew.2014.0066.