Freedom as a Fact

Freedom as a Natural Phenomenon

“Freedom” is a phenomenon in the natural world. This phenomenon – and indirectly the question of free will – is explored using a variety of systems-theoretic ideas. It is argued that freedom can emerge only in systems that are partially determined and partially random, and that freedom is a matter of degree. The paper considers types of freedom and their conditions of possibility in simple livi...

Freedom as Morality

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Freedom as Control

I present a model of freedom as control. Control is measured by the preferences of a decision-maker, or judge, who values flexibility and is neutral towards outcomes ex ante. Formally, I explore the consequences of adding a neutrality axiom to the Dekel, Lipman and Rustichini (2001) axioms for preference for flexibility. I characterize the consensus of all neutral judges about which choice situ...

Evolution as Fact and Theory

A balanced view of development as freedom

Amartya Sen, in his most recent book Development as Freedom, argues that expansion of human freedom should both be viewed as the primary end and the principle means of development. This paper provides an overview and a critical scrutiny of the Senian perspective from the point of view of an economist. First, I discuss to what extent Sen’s normative theory of development justifies a particular f...