National Network for Equitable Library Service

Drawing on the tradition of the Platonic dialogue, On Freedom explores what freedom is and what it means through the discussions of two characters, Director and Friend. Director plays the role of a modern-day Socrates. Friend is his trusted companion. The two of them, in 79 short chapters, cover that many facets of the idea of freedom. The sections include Slavery, Responsibility, Anarchy, Wealth, Love, Courage, Authority, Inhibition, Happiness, Discipline and Vigilance. Each chapter looks at Freedom from a different perspective in order to bring as much light to the subject as possible, in order to get a full view. The characters arrive at no simple or absolute definition of freedom. But that doesn't mean they dont finish with a better idea of what freedom is than when they started. If anything, the characters come to appreciate the need for clarity about their subject. And they come to see that such clarity necessarily involves complexity. Readers with no philosophical training can enjoy this book. It's written in a straightforward way without the use of technical terms or jargon. Readers with a philosophy background can enjoy the book because it treats an old, familiar theme with a lighter touch. Families will value On Freedom for enabling younger readers, too, to explore philosophic ideas of general interest and importance.