ABSTRACT
People's destinies are no longer determined by distinctions of status at birth as it was before capitalism. Classes are not rigid categories since each individual can rise above his class by being successful in the competitive market society, using 'market opportunities' for his self-interest. The main difference between the negative and positive conceptions of freedom is whether they take freedom as the starting point or as a goal. Whereas the negative view takes freedom as natural, as something to be protected against intervention by others, the positive view considers freedom as a social and historical achievement. The hybrid view focuses in particular on how one's freedom can be restricted by the weakness of will. The assumption that humans are naturally free makes and focusing exclusively on freedom of action makes it difficult to give an adequate account of personal freedom. The chapter also presents some closing thoughts on the concepts covered in this book.
