Quentin Skinner - What Is Freedom?

In this fascinating lecture, Cambridge University philosophy and history professor Quentin Skinner provides an engaging and thought-provoking geneological analysis of the ever-changing concept of freedom (primarily political) as it has evolved from the time of ancient Greece and early Christianity to modern liberalism.

We all think of it as a core and fundamental value, and may take it for granted as obvious, but as Professor Skinner aptly demonstrates, competing conceptions of liberty can clash terribly, and lead to essentially counterintuitive and paradoxical implications.

Or, if for some reason, the audio file above doesn't work, you can also find this lecture in the Cambridge University site.

Check out more on the Masters of Philosophy.

.