Apologies for cross-posting
The Third Concept of Liberty
Isaiah Berlin Lecture 2001
to be delivered by
Professor Quentin Skinner, FBA
of the University of Cambridge
at the British Academy on 21 November 2001
Abstract
The Lecture will offer an appreciation and a critique of Isaiah Berlin's
celebrated distinction between positive and negative liberty. Berlin's
account of positive freedom has often been criticised, but one of the aims
of the lecture will be to defend and amplify that aspect of his argument.
The most influential aspect of Berlin's analysis has been his account of
negative liberty, but here it will be suggested that his argument needs to
be reconsidered and supplemented. Two different concepts of negative liberty
need to be discriminated, one of which might be labelled the Gothic and the
other the Neo-Roman understanding of what it means to be free. A preliminary
attempt will be made to trace the rise and fall of the Neo-Roman conception
in British political theory and its eventual super session by the Gothic
model. The lecture will end by appraising the rival merits of these two
different visions of negative liberty.
The lecture shall begin at 5.30pm and take place at the Academy's
premises: 10 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1. The lecture shall be
followed by a reception to which members of the audience are invited.
British Academy lectures are freely open to the general public, and
everyone is welcome, but because of limitations on space it is sometimes
necessary to restrict attendance. If you wish to attend, it is essential
to inform the Meetings Department at the Academy. Telephone: 020 7969 5264
or email lectures @britac.ac.uk Further information about the Academy's
events can be found http://www.britac.ac.uk/events/index.html.
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Angela Pusey
Assistant Secretary Lectures and Symposia
The British Academy
10 Carlton House Terrace
London SW1Y 5AH
Tel: 020 7969 5264
Fax: 020 7969 5414
Email: [log in to unmask]
Web site: www.britac.ac.uk
