Question

Socrates, Kant and Beauvoir each had a very different understanding of what it means to be free. Please summarize the views of each philosopher regarding freedom.

Answer 1

In the apology, Socrates claim that in the condition of striving we examine and understand our self and the purpose of our life. observation and examination of anything lead us to the know or understand it. It is more important to know the purpose of life than life itself. Hence, the unexamined life is not worth living.

According to Socrates every action of the human is due to his beliefs and he cannot act is ageing them.

Socrates’s examine his fellow citizens by observing and asking their purpose of life.

Purpose of life of the Socrates was to examine the meaning of life because only examined people lived transparent lives.

observation and examination of anything lead us to the know or understand it. It is more important to know the purpose of life than life itself. Hence, the unexamined life is not worth living.

According to the theory of Kant moral and good person must do his/her duty because duty is obligated to him/her. If they feel good in order to fulfil their duty, it is fine. But if they must does their duty, whether they are feeling good or bad.

For example, truth-telling at the poker table is right according to the kent because people must tell truth in every condition because it is their duty.

According to Beauvoir the free will or freedom originated from the action to become free. agreeing with the journey is itself the freedom. Freedom belongs to the journey, not the destination or results.

It is not true freedom that one becomes able to do whatever he wants to do but it is an ability to create own future by free will